Pike and Shot is a military formation used primarily in the 16th and 17th centuries, combining two types of infantry: pikemen and shot. The pikemen wielded long spears called pikes, which provided a defensive barrier against cavalry, while the shot consisted of soldiers armed with firearms, such as muskets or arquebuses. This combination allowed armies to effectively counter various threats on the battlefield. The formation typically arranged pikemen in the front and shot behind them, creating a layered defense. This tactic was crucial during the European Wars of Religion and the Thirty Years' War, as it enhanced the effectiveness of infantry units against both infantry and cavalry attacks.