Mittesobiva

Mittesobiva is a term used in the context of medieval and early modern European warfare to describe a type of infantry formation. The term is derived from the Latin words "mitte," meaning "send," and "sobiva," meaning "to follow." This formation involved sending a group of soldiers forward to engage the enemy, while the rest of the unit remained in reserve, ready to follow and support the initial attackers.

The mittesobiva formation was particularly effective in the context of the European feudal system, where knights and their retainers often fought alongside their lords. The formation allowed for a flexible and adaptable approach to battle, as the reserve troops could be deployed to reinforce areas of the battlefield where they were most needed. This tactic was often used to counter the charge of heavy cavalry, which was a common tactic of the time.

The mittesobiva formation was also used to exploit the weaknesses of the enemy's formation. For example, if the enemy's line was weak in the center, the mittesobiva could be used to attack that area, drawing the enemy's forces away from their stronger positions. This tactic was particularly effective against the heavy cavalry of the time, which was often vulnerable to infantry attacks.

In summary, mittesobiva is a term used to describe a type of infantry formation used in medieval and early modern European warfare. The formation involved sending a group of soldiers forward to engage the enemy, while the rest of the unit remained in reserve, ready to follow and support the initial attackers. This tactic was effective in countering the charge of heavy cavalry and exploiting the weaknesses of the enemy's formation.