A schiltron (also schiltrom or shiltron) is a group of soldiers wielding outward-pointing pikes or other polearms, to ward off cavalry attacks. The term doesn't denote any particular shape or alignment of the formation, and is most often associated with Scottish pike formations during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Etymology The term dates from at least 1000 AD and derives from Old English roots expressing the idea of a "shield-troop". Some resear… (More on Schiltron)