Pole Arms
Many of the hand weapons used during the English Civil War (1642-1649), had also been in use during Elizabethan times. The pike and halberd had been around for many years and were still fearsome weapons in a well managed pike-block. The pikes were considered to be the best defence for the musket-blocks, because they were at their most vulnerable whilst re-loading.
The Pike
This pole-arm was often 9 feet long in a garrison setting. Even lengths
up to 18 - 22 feet 
were known to be used by soldiers as defence from
a cavalry attack. With the tail end held firmly into the ground, it was
a formidable defensive barrier.
The pole itself was often English Ash. The soldiers wore leather gloves or gauntlets to protect their hands. The metal point, often at least 6 inches long, was attached by metal strips, called langettes, down two sides from the head, for about 18 inches, to protect the pole from sword and halberd blows.
The Halberd
This was another type of pole-arm and was a fearsome weapon, having a long spike at the top which made it as useful as the pike. Additionally, it had a large chopping blade with notches and hollows around it to enable the soldier to trap the enemy's swords or other pole-arms.
At up to 7-feet long, it was brave soldier that could approach a sweeping halberd. If that wasn't enough, to counterbalance the chopping blade was a bill-hook that could be used to tear the tendons of a cavalry soldiers leg, or remove him from his mount.
The Partisan
This was a variation of the halberd, about the same length but having a broader flat spike widening to a petal each side where it joins the shaft. This was often used as an emblem of office, carried by officers. It could easily be recognised from the other pole-arms and therefore could be used for giving directions that might not be heard from the back of a pike-block ( a formation of soldiers carrying pikes).
Armour
The pikeman's armour saw a few changes during the English Civil War. Different styles of helmet were introduced. The English Morion and occasionally, the Spanish Morion. The Cabaset, the pikeman's pot were common. They had cheek plates that fastened under the chin with a leather strap. Sometimes the pikeman would wear a gorget, an armour plate yoke that fits about the neck. These later became a symbol of office, when armour was no longer worn
The
breast-plate and back-plate were always favoured for body protection
and many were 'proofed' by having a musket-ball fired at them, leaving
a dent to prove it would stop a musket ball. Though some were similarly
dented by the smith's hammer that could not stop a musket ball! The breast
and back plate were fastened by metal straps over the shoulder, held
by hooks on the front. The lower end was held together by a leather belt
round the waist.
In the early stages of the war, Tassets were hung from the lower edge of the breast-plate, to protect the upper legs. They were attached by the same method as the back-plate. Tassets were made up of strips of metal to allow some movement. Unfortunately, they proved to be too heavy for use in battle and the scissor-like action of the tassets caused some rather delicate pain to the wearer.
The pikeman might also wear a leather buff-coat, worn under the breast and back-plate, for light armour. It could prevent most sword injuries and was the chosen armour for the cavalry. The pikeman is the basic soldier but, often there was not enough armour to equip them. Sometimes, it was looted from fallen soldiers on the battlefield.