pike shotte epic battles thirty years war cavalryHuge numbers of cavalry were fielded in the warfare of the 17th century. The most common being light cavalry harquebusiers, armed with doglock carbines which could be fired from the saddle. Equipped with helmet and breastplate, they were expected to close with the enemy and charge them down at a spirited pace. The cuirassier heavy cavalry was clad in blackened steel armour which was proof against most blades or shot. Fielded en masse in the Thirty