Our special friends the
Memmingen Pikeniere
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We have celebrated more than 20 years of friendship between our two groups, and in 2010 the Pikeniere marked the 30th Anniversary of their formation.
The Pikeniere are a key part of the Wallenstein Festival in Memmingen, Bavaria, which is held every four years to celebrate a period of stability in the 30 Years War when Albrecht von Wallenstein made Memmingen an Imperial City, and brought peace and prosperity to the region.
The White (Von Reinach) Fahnlein
In the summer of 1630 Memmingen became the focus of European politics, when the General and Commander Wallenstein resided here with his troops. After collecting hundreds of horses, carriages and wagons, he developed a magnificent court with receptions for high status foreign guests, including equestrian games and other amusements. Wallenstein's residence gave the people of Memmingen something of a respite in the turmoil of the Thirty Years War, which had already raged for 12 years. The Pikeniere, equipped with 5 -meter long pikes, marched at this time alongside the Musketiere, as one of the most efficient and feared soldiers in europe. In Wallenstein, the festival group Memmingen Pikeniere is now the largest group with over 390 members.
Colonel Robert Hammond's Regiment are immensely proud to be The 5th Company of the Pikeniere, also known as the White Company or Von Reinach's Company. We have members in each other's group, and regular trips between the UK and Memmingen have further reinforced the strong bond that exists between us.
Hammond's aim to visit Memmingen for Wallenstein and the Fischertag Festival in 2016 - which is already being organised. When we are there we will form the rear company of a column of pikeniere of nearly 200. The festival is a massive event with over one hundred thousand people watching the parade, and tens of thousands visiting the campsites during the week long festival.
Why don't you join us and experience it for yourself?