How did the Dutch Revolutionise Warfare in the 17th Century?
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- čas přidán 12. 07. 2018
- The nature of warfare during the 17th century was radically changed by pioneering generals like Maurits of Nassau whose reforms I will be looking at in this video. Please don't forget to check out the Armchair Historian who has made an excellent video on why men for the centuries following this military reforms fought in lines:
Armchair Historian's Video:
• Why did Soldiers Fight...
Music Used:
Symphony Number 5 - Ludwig van Beethoven
Midsummer Night's Dream - Felix Mendelssohn
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/ historywithhilbert
Twitter:
/ historywhilbert
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/ historywhilbert
Send me an email if you'd be interested in doing a collaboration! historywithhilbert@gmail.com
Nice. Now every Dutch person is gonna let you know they're Dutch in the comments. I'm Dutch btw.
LOL So true! For me its a bit clumsy to say "I'm 56% Scandinavian, 34% British Isles, 7% North Europe and 1% Irish with fragments of western Russia region". :)
I AM DUTCH!
+Drom Assault I'm willing to bet there's many aspects in which the Netherlands is better to live than your country
+Drom Assault Where are you from?
Baltic Hammer
in other words: you're 100% colonist.
50% sea 50% weed
It ain’t dutch if it ain’t much
And...
G E K O L O N I S E E R D
zeg makker
wiet is geen specerij
Nice
You mean: If it ain't Dutch it ain't much, less weed smoking before commenting.
Ja far duurde lang een comment met gekoloniseerd
Who would win
The largest empire at the time with a giant navy and Powerfull army
Some tall water bois
They lost a good 80% of the battles though.
Black Templar Holland won because spaniah overexpqnsion, if spain wanted to kill holland they would without any doubt
Spain had enemies in every corner of the world...
The Spanish kings of the time squandered all the money in Spain. They were the ones who helped the Dutch the most.
Juan Manuel Zardain Buganza so u say killing of half the population because they believed in a different religion (calvinisme en lutherisme) for them to ignore all the rich and important people who begged to stop the horror (smeekschrift der edelen) is a good thing for the Netherlands???
The rolling barrage must have been excellent for morale, too. If you know you are going to get cycled through the ranks as soon as you fire, you know that you are way less likely to die in the battle as opposed to someone who is stuck for quite a long time in the first line.
A great video Hilbert! This time period is so uncovered, I’m excited to see more of it from you!
Griff
The Armchair Historian dude I f❤️cking love your videos
The Armchair Historian "some Dutch boys"
The Armchair Historian ditto
The Armchair Historian fuck yeahh
Depends where you from i guess, when Dutch that time period is well covered. Still really interesting time period.
*WILHELMUS INTENSIFIES*
Napoleon I Bonaparte, I the Kyrgyz overthrew you at Waterloo!
Just for your information mate, reloading a matchlock is not an operation which takes 'a couple of minutes'.
Most drill of the day had some variation of this:
Remove Cord with left hand,
Cast about musket
Load powder
Load ball
Withdraw ramrod
Push the charge/ball home
Replace ramrod
Cast musket about again
Prime pan
Close pan cover
Replace cord
Test fire to ensure that cord is properly aligned
Open pan
Fire
Repeat
The purpose of removing the cord with the left hand was to keep the burning cord away from the powder
Despite the complexity of the evolutions, the above can rather easily be done within 40 seconds, and significantly faster by well drilled troops. I would not be surprised to see a dutch infantry man of the day maintaining 2 rounds a minute for some while, with periodic slow downs to clean out the bore a bit to make loading stay rapid.
While later muskets(especiallu prussian self priming muskets, as used under Frederik) were considerably faster, there was a loss of accuracy which was suffered with that. By the Napopeonic era, and with the concurrent rise of Light Infantry, a return to slightly slower but morw accurate muskets was seen in most militaries. But I digress heavily :P
This isn't meant to be a criticism on the video! Just a bit of info.
Keep up the good work
Anthony Riopel I am spanish and the dutch were good in fighting but the tercios were better but obsolete in mid 17th century
ger du Yelling out each step was a training thing. Once the movements were down, the command was simplified.
There was a prescribed ready position in most armies. Perhaps there was one which required a wave of the hat, but I have never heard of it and it was not universal.
Drill manuals of the time are available in a variety of languages and style. I suggest searching google books if you would like to know more
I mean the Spanish had to be better. The Dutch forces consisted for 90% of mercenaries (Mostly from Germany, Scotland and Switserland) so those mercenaries didn't have the best of morale. The early battles in the 80 years war the Spanish defeated the Orange forces quite often.
Only in the colonies the Dutch were winning quite hard
Anthony Riopel ii
@@freekmulder3662 when it comes on moral of the swiss mercenaries, i kind of question that statement, the swiss had the best mercenaries of the time, they served in many wars and battles and they also served as bodyguards for kings, queens, lords, counts, popes, empress,s and emperors.
Long live the Netherlands!
The sea level: *stop right there bukaroo*
@@icantzucc4573 the netherlands: lemme grab some dirt
Vroeger ja😂 is nu om te janken
Is nu Om te janken lol hehe hoohoo hi hobo Spanish we win against you in war
@@ItsARandomDragon ik ga stukk
El tercio was not a disorganized unit, it was highly disciplined and with a very efficient organization and standardization. But I have to admit that the Dutch make it better, the tercio was an elite unit, the Dutch made a regular unit for defeat an elite unit.
Juan Manuel Zardain Buganza they killed and robbed so many farmers when they didn't get payed by the country they were invading... Doesn't make any sense nor its very "elite" imo
Juul Knols well it was normal for soldiers at the time for do such atrocities, even the most leet troops, war is a horrific thing and during doused times it was specially brutal. Sorry if my love for the Tercios ofended you, I know that they didn’t where the most gentle of soldiers and that it was unfair to invade another country for they believes, it was not my intention to ofend, but is time to get over with the past and go on.
Juan Manuel Zardain Buganza No I know what you mean. I mean look at Jan Pieterszoon Coen lmao. The point is that conpared to like roman tactics everything is below elite, especially if u compare the times in which Both lived. Also Just wanted to say that it has been lovely rambling about it without getting on eachother's nerves which is quite rare in this platform so have a good one!
Most tercios were not spanish anyway, germans and south italians mainly
@@metralla on the contrary, actual tercious were spanish, and they were often un paid and underfed, spanish took particular pride in their tercios, german and italian imitation simply weren't on the level of the tercios viejos.
Dutch Bois
Bois le Duc!
barle duc
I laughed so hard at this.
Áh nice! You got it? Thought it was amusing for only a small group.
Zeker weten! Wij zijn de besten
Yellow + Red = Orange
*Wilhelmus Plays*
WILHELMUS VAN NASSAUE
BEN IK VAN DUITSEN BLOED
EEN PRINCE VAN ORAENGIEN
BEN IK, VRIJ ONVEREERD
DE KONING VAN HISPANJE
NO HILBERT, NO!
We improved warfare even more during the later 17th century.
By figuring out how to kill all of the Dodos.
LDBlokland het is een eeuwen oude mythe dat de Hollanders de dodo’s hebben uitgeroeid. Dat hebben we helemaal niet gedaan. Dodo’s stonden bekend om hun vreselijk smaak.
Blijkt dus helemaal niet 'correct'
te zijn.
@@Jim-lg8sf nee we namen ratten mee van uit onze schepen die aten de eiren van die vogels op
5:02... My girlfriend likes to be disciplined and well-drilled, too.
@John Lathrop TMI, buddy. TMI.
Another great video. In the history of Europe and Warfare, oft it is missed the innovations of Prince Maurice of Nassau during his time as Stadtholder. Fun fact, one of the mercenaries in the armies of Prince Maurice was Mr. Rene Descartes, who served as a engineer and self-paid soldier during the peaceful time of the latter years of Prince Maurice's rule.
He's overlooked because he was not a conqueror but a defender. Its the conquerors who are usually mentioned. He's certainly one of the best strategists of history though considering these reforms that everyone copied and kept using for so long.
Was he the brother of Rupert of the Rhine?
I was expecting more Wilhelmus.
I don't see how minimising the chance of a podium even further by moving to Williams is a good idea
ok! WILHELMUS VAN NASSAUE BEN IK VAN DUITSE BLOED
"Tercio" means a third, and I've read that they were called so because in theory they were composed by equal numbers pikemen, shot and "rodeleros" (sword and buckler men). Dunno how true this is, though.
There's several theories. None verified. It could also refer to the original tercio being composed of 3000 men
"I'm gonna explain why its not who you think"
Yet the Dutch won.
There is one more thing Mauritz learnerd from the romans. Julius Ceasar once proclaimed he had won more battles with a shovel than with the pike.
The dutch took this to heart in a time most soldiers in europe wouldn't even touch a shovel. So the dutch payed their soldiers a double wage. 1 for being a soldier and 1 for being a normal laborer. Earthworks could now be erected in no-time and gave the dutch an edge over the spanish, especialy in siege warfare.
( similar to Julius Ceasars assault on Alesia)
Great video. I haven't read too much about Dutch warfare during the 17th C. As a teacher in history this sure is usefull. Cheers for your Dutch pronounciation which is top notch. Dutchman here as well !
Ik blijf het heerlijk vinden, een geschiedeniskanaal met een redelijke focus op Nederland, en ook nog door iemand die weet waar hij over praat. Petje af Hilbert!
Great video, very informative.
You damn tease :P
Looking forward to that series, will be quite interesting for sure
Great video again! En eindelijk weer eens het Wilhelmus!! :D
Fantastic Video! I just came to your channel and I'm very happy that it's here. Cheers mate, subbed!
The statement that "the tercios were disorganized" is truly shocking. Even a basic knowledge of the Tercio's military career should demonstrate this. I suggest you read some military history books or records by some Spanish authors.
The logistical operation to "place a pike in Flanders" via the "the Spanish path" from Italy to Flanders was one of the most impressive logistical-military exercises in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The complexity of engineering during the sieges of cities like Maastricht and Breda had lost not been seen since antiquity.
The fact that the tercio was the first national, professional army in Europe in centuries (rather than the jurisdiction of counts, barons, dukes and their local levying exercises), and was equipped and regimented to fit the needs of the campaign. It was the first modern army.
The martial discipline required to hold ranks and not break into rout during dire odds such as in Castelonuovo, Rocroi, and Empel (whereas their German, Italian, Flemish allies often would flee).
All of these are some basic examples of the top of my head to contrast the insanity of some of the quasi-propagandistic comments in this video. These types of videos are accessible and easy to digest, but unless they are historically rigorous, they are little more than historical fantasy with (often too evident) nationalistic biases.
They did still beat Spain tho.
In many years the tercios in the Flanders army were not paid. Then they became disorganized.
Very interesting video. 2 thumbs way up!
1:14 look at that awesome heroe in the center who ALONE handles a bundle of 10 spikes to counter the enemy!!
WHO is this unsung heroe ???
Arnold von Winkelried. He is actually very much so a sung hero. Streets named after the man and all.
Weird that this picture is used since the swiss used halberds in this battle and the habsburgs used pikes.
Very good! nice piece of work bro! keep the good work up (Y)
Well done, Hilbert and AH!
8:19 - 8:33 That's the great thing about reclaiming land from the sea, it's flat, and one can build proper cities with Harbors, Canals, Farmland and perfect theoretical textbook fortifications without having to massively alter extant infrastructure and landscape. My only issue with the research in this video, is at 6:42 - 6:57 and it is an understandable and greatly common notion, even amongst learned men, but is in the end an imaginary and most faulty assertion, specifically "I imagine it would take up to a few minutes with these kinds of weapons to reload them, fire them and have to fire them again" That is why the drill book was invented, atomizing a series of otherwise rapid, complex and smooth evolutions for the better understanding of the new recruit, so that he may better learn to do the same. Indeed, it would be near suicidal to employ and entrust untrained men to the intricate and hazardous task of working with exposed gunpowder and burning slow-match in large groups. The Capabilities of Early Firearms are grossly understated in most contemporary historical literature, typically rarely siting primary sources in regards to musketry, even though most other aspects are sited and accurate. Most commonly asserted capabilities of both early firearms and bows are generally contradicted by extant Primary Sources in English, though by no means limited to English:
Roger Williams, Briefe Discourse of Warre, 1590
Thomas Digges, An Arithmetical Warlike Treatise Named Stratioticos, 1590
William Garrard, The Arte of Warre, 1591
Gyles Clayton, The Aprooved order of Martiall discipline, 1591
Thomas Styward, The Pathwaie to Martiall Discipline, 1582
Barnabe Riche, A Right Exelent and Pleasaunt Dialogue, 1574
William Neade, The Double-Armed Man, 1625
William Barriffe, Military discipline, 1635
John Smythe, Certen instructions, observations and orders militarie, 1594
R.S., A Briefe Treatise, To prooue the necessitie and excellence of the vse of archerie, 1596
John Smythe, Certain Discourses, 1590
Anon, A New Invention of Shooting Fireshafts in Long-bowes, 1628
William Neade, Obiections against the vse of the bovv vvith the pike: and the answers thereunto, 1630
Thomas Kellie, Pallas Armata, 1627
John Bingham, Tactics of Aelian, 1616
Barnabe Riche, The Fruites of long Experience, 1604
Barnabe Riche, A Martial Conference, 1598
Humfrey Barwick, A Breefe Discourse, 1594
Matthew Sutcliffe, The Practice, Proceedings, and Lawes of armes, 1593
Gervase Markham, The Art of Archerie, 1634
Most of these texts, and others such as those of Qi Jiguang, with many other pertinent writings, modern and historical tests, videos, and links to sources can be read at:
bowvsmusket.com/
Another good, but somewhat less pertinent webpage is:
allthingsliberty.com/2013/08/how-far-is-musket-shot-farther-than-you-think/
And a good site with people who often still use and experiment with antique weapons on Tapatalk:
www.tapatalk.com/groups/britishmilitariaforums/
Respectfully, Ben Skorupka.
P.S. I love your videos; they are fun, clear, concise and speak of history in a human manner without the Oversimplification of Simple History, the sometimes distorted Opinionation of Lindybeige, or the DANK MEME OVERLOAD par for the course with Potential History, and they are all good to begin with! :)
Very interesting and well-explained!
Both of my great great grand parents were from Antwerp, Belgium both there parents were from ether stekene Belgium or Antwerp, Belgium both sides of the parents all from northern Belgium or Netherlands! Got one great great great grandparent from zaamslag, Zeeland province of Netherlands 🇧🇪 🇳🇱 Dutch pride! My great grandfathers family came over here in the late 1800s and were here till the 1950s and passed away. There last names were Schippers and Teirbrood.
Both ? you have 16 great great grand parents.
I love how every time you mention the Dutch, my surround sound starts blasting the Dutch anthem.
This guy's pronunciation is the most on point I've seen in any youtube video about history.
I feel like not enough people know who Maurice is. He was a great man who deserves recognition!
Your pronunciation of Dutch and Spanish names is spot on. Cool video!
I'm impressed by your pronunciation of Dutch words. Top work, man!
I believe that he is Dutch.
Zou je een video kunnen maken van de nederlandse invasie van engeland in 1688? Dat is een stuk nederlandse geschiedenis die niet vaak word verteld helaas.
m.v.g
David Snoek
7:00 That is what the US founders were thinking of when they wrote "a well regulated militia". They meant a regular amount of lead heading in the direction of an enemy army.
Great videos, I would love to see more videos about European battle tactics during the early years of firearms, especially if they cover Gustavus Adolphus and Louis XIV
Great video.
Loved the video. A couple of notes i would like to add, is that the countermarch had been used already since the Italian wars between Spain and France by Arquebusiers. Swiss Pikemen and French Gendarmes found it unfunny.
What i think is overlooked is that Nassau's contributions are quite more important in terms of standarizing training. If you had a musket and a guy willing to use it, there was a system to drill him from a civilian into a combat ready shooter. Meanwhile, in the Spanish Tercios you would start as a pikeman, then as an arquebusier and then into a musketeer, being mentored by your senior mates. It would take years before a Spaniard became a musketeer.
Also, while it is usually attributed to Gustavus Adolphus, Nassau and the Dutch already started using muskets wich were light enough to be used without a fork rest but having more range than the arquebus, wich they declared obsolete, while the Spanish and other nations kept using the small arquebus and the heavier musket for range or mobility, either in sleeves or for skirmishing. This allowed the transition towards later fusiliers once firelocks and bayonets became widespread. It was the seed of the change from pike and shot to linear tactics for the 18th century, with easier mobilization of men being drilled into proficiency.
great video
I'd love to see both naval and siege videos please!
When you were talking about the drills. I could only think about the power of habit.
Sounds to me like the _counter march_ tactic is a sped up version of the Roman _acies triplex_ with interval fighting tactic. Quite a clever way to adapt a melee tactic for a modern ranged attacking regiment.
Great video, love the topic. Good job on the graphics too :).
I thought it sounded familiar when he was talking about it.
Im not really that much of a proud Dutchie but this title got my history loving and Dutch heart interested. Great vid, I wasnt dissapointed!
The Dutch had another novel and revolutionary idea as well, regular pay. Spanish units often mutinied because their could at times become two or even three YEARS in arrears. The Dutch paid their troops regularly, (at least for the time) getting their wages in silver every four to six weeks. Spanish pay was badly behind, that on several occasions, Dutch commanders convinced Spanish mercenary troops to walk away or even change side simy by offering to bring their pay current. Who says you can't buy love?
Drom Assault flake? Or are you incapable of making an argument?
Drom Assault that is a matter of opinion. What is not a matter of opinion is that the Dutch were a more fiscally responsible people and government. Spanish troops during the 80 years war we're at times over three years behind in pay and would sometimes mutiny over the issue, much to the detriment of the Dutch locals who would be robbed and abused to compensate the soldiers. The Spanish throne, despite tons of silver and gold coming in from the New World, we're so fiscally irresponsible that they had to declare state bankruptcy not once, but twice. In the end, no one was willing to lend the Throne money. And the Dutch exploited that fault at any and every opportunity.
Drom Assault lol, im from the Netherlands and I ain't triggered. I Just know facts, now where is your source of the most genius comment in history ofcourse being yours saying; "fake"
Drom Assault yep, like I thought you have no answer to my question and aren't even smart enough to come up with a good counter. You sir are Just pathetic and I pitty you... Learn to use facts, and back your statements up with them so you wont look like a complete moron again next time ;)
Drom Assault you ARE making his point for him. And you really haven't made any argument or brought up any facts to back up your original assertation. And being neither Dutch nor Spanish, I have no nationalist feelings in the game. I'm just a historian. But seriously Drom, Empires rise and fall. The Spanish rode the top of the heap, and then fell. The Swedes took their place and fell. Then the French, and then the Brits. America is on top now, but in the process of falling. Who will ride the tide if empire tomorrow? Probably China, but that's no where near a certainty. Don't get bent over what happened 400 years ago dude. Or are we all going to sit around and cry about how mean the Romans were?
Hey History with Hilbert! Do you have any resources you would recommend for a deeper study on Maurits Van Oranje?
Great analysis.
Warfare in motion.
My great great great ect grandfather was the officer of Bergen op Zoom(one of the few towns that was never taken over by the spanjards because of him and his brother) during the 80 year war. Who was actually credited with creating those drills. He also robbed Spanjard troops in the forrests
The musketeers counter-march seems reminiscent of the Roman legionnaires rotating to the back of a formation after 2 minutes of fighting.
Any idea what the subliminal clip at 26/27 seconds is?
Im dutch and i thank you good sir for educating me on this part of history. Dutch discipline, good to know.
Nice video.
How about the Dutch vs Koxinga at Formosa?
Weren't the Dutch the first nation to start military academies? Weren't they the first to set up schools to teach officers, particularly how to use artillery and engineering?
why wedding march in the background?
I don't know if you accept video requests but a history of the Scots Leif would be nice for raising awareness about this interesting Anglic variety and for it to not go the same way as Fingalian and Yola.
Anyways keep up the fantastic work
Lovely!
150% discipline
is that a mothafucking europa universalis 4 reference
Muh Spehse Marines
Is that even possible?
In other news.... it's a secret. Hilbert, you tease.
i think he is gonna talk about the carolean's
Interesting video, and kudos on your Dutch pronunciation 👍
He’s Dutch.
Other than quickly changing the direction of march of a column of soldiers 180 degree, I always wondered what the purpose of the "...Counter column... March!" commands were. Now I know.
Wow, I can't argue with that.
The legendary Friesen is back!
Is that Wagner's "Wedding March" youve chosen as the background music? Or possibly Mendolson's "Midsummer Nights Dream" (I always get those 2 mixed up)
Incidently i think both composers are German or from that area.
Ok got it totaly mixed up its actually Mendolson's "Wedding March"
History with Hilbert x Armchair historian? Pinch me, I must be dreaming. Nice vid guys, thanks for the upload
Why the wedding march playing in the baground?
Please do a siege warfare video please!
The muscets at the time where heavy, and thus the butt of the muscut had a copper plate so it could be dragged . When running ( away ) with these they would polish the plate. This is still around in the dutch language as “de plaat poetsen” of “smeren”
My money is on Gustavus Adolfus. /Que Sabaton/
Libera et Impera!
LION COME FORTH COME FROM THE NORTH COME FROM THE NORTH GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS LIBERA ET IMPERA
Well, Wallenstein defeated him. So far for that.
que eu4 memes :D
Karl Karlos if you are referring to the battle of Lütsen, Wallenstein lost the battle after Gustavus was killed, the Swedish army won the battle, Gustavus died in an accident.
What’s with the quick picture at 0:27 ?
I must get the link to the anthem you use for research purposes.
Thank you so much for pronouncing Gustav Adolf's name correctly.
What is the difference between this video and the 80 years war video?
Very cool. I didn't even know this part of our history :-) Warfare tactics are unfortunately often not a subject in history class :p
Interesting video. Finna play as the Dutch on EU4 now.
Blanko that's suicide
Empire Total War, baby.
In Overwatch we call the Spanish tactic the Death-ball :P
You should talk about the sieges! The siege of Leiden really showcased the creativity of the Dutch rebels.
Wait a minute didn't Oda Nobunaga uses the same tactic with his Matchlock Musket three line formation during the battle of Nagashino
Could you please make a video on keltic Cornwall / dumnonia??
Hilbert. Plesse make a video about Latvia. Or some other Baltic Country at least
Good video. But why the wedding march ? 😂
Your Dutch pronounciation is really good!
He is Dutch I believe.
Leve de republiek! Your pronunciation is really good by the way ^_^
He is Dutch I believe.
Interesting topic, but the random music in the background distracts from the speaker. Did your college professor have background music for his lectures? Then why do you?
To bad you forgot about Maurits cousin and brother in law Willem Lodewijk of Nassau dillenburg, who was the stadhouder of Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe. They studied together and Willem Lodewijk played just as an importent part as Maurits, being both generals of the staten leger. There should be more information about the Frisian brench of the house of Orange Nassau as they are the ones who are still the royal family now. There are a lot of more interesting persons there. Willem Lodewijk, Us heit, is just the first one. Don't forget about Marijke meu.
Is the background music necessary?
Joe Keaton ...and it feels just so random!
great up load... it still blow my mind that that the Dutch were in rebellion with the Spanish for 80 years .. and still managed to set up a half decent navy, the east Indian company , loads of colonies and a modern banking system ..
Please make a video about the history behind the Dutch national anthem.
Interesting thing about that drill around the 7th min. Its almost an exact copy of how Roman Legions fought. Pretty cool how they implemented that with guns and stuff. The Romans would let the front fight for a bit and then they would go all the way back to recover and would eventually move up again to fight (conserve manpower and stamina). There is a video that shows is pretty well (around the 30 seconds) czcams.com/video/J7MYlRzLqD0/video.html&has_verified=1
Can you do a video about the duch Friesche war?
Nice Armchair.
Your Dutch pronouncements are perfect.
5:24 ouch, I was using headphones
Never knew this...The Dutch invented (in a way) the early automatic machine gun....They enabled them self to be fully prepared to fire at all time or to fire almost continuously
It did not take them a couple minutes to reload muskets. Trained regulars were expected to be able to fire 3 times per minute, and the best troops could reach 5 shots per minute. Countermarching may have delayed things a little bit, but certainly not that dramatically.
In addition, the countermarch and linear formation was not invented by Maurice of Nassau, but actually by a Spaniard by the name of Martin de Eguiluz. Maurice copied it to devastating effect, while the Spanish army continued to use tercios through most of the 17th century (but gradually morphing it closer and closer to linear formations). The original book presenting the innovations is called "Milicia, discurso y regla militar" and is available on Google Books.
Wait this isnt a sabaton song D:
hagnar the viking dear god I wish theyd make one of the Netherlands, with all due respect but we truely are a glorious country for we invented wifi, bluetooth, microscope, telescope, etc etc
I'd love to know why he used the stereotypical weding theme?
A minor correction. The firearms back in 1568 would have more then likely been an arquebus. I do not believe that there are any firearms that would take minutes to reload, yet alone the arquebus. Obviously they would not reach the same speed as say the "Prussian Needle Gun" but they would not need a matter of minutes. Pherhaps a single minute maybe less, especially if they were drilled for speed.
This however is still a long time. In battle ten seconds could very easily become an hour.