I would like to apologise for the nature of my question. A couple years ago, I heard of a man who's records are apparently a bit Apocryphal. Unfortunately, I have forgotten his name, and can't find anything when I try to find him.
I think he was Polish, or maybe Danish or Scandinavian. Definitely northern European.
He was some sort of resistance leader or revolutionary. His group was being attacked by some sort of pike group, and was unable to deal with them effectively. According to the story, he "ran up on the pikes" or something like that, which, if I understood it correctly, entailed impaling himself on as many as possible to create a gap that his army poured through to win the battle.
I also remember his name was something that sounds hilarious to English speakers, like "winkleworth" or something like that.
Again, I apologise for the awfulness of this question, but it's driving me crazy and I don't know where else to look.
I don't know how else this can be expanded, but I believe you are thinking of Arnold von Winkelreid, the Swiss folk hero who performed the action (supposedly) at the Battle of Sempach (1386) and dramatised in the poem 'The Battle of Sempach' by Sir Walter Scott:
'The Austrian met-at-arms stood fast, So close their spears they laid; It chafed the gallant Winkelreid, Who to his comrades said -
'I have a virtuous wife at home, A wife and infant son; I leave them to my country's care,- This field shall soon be won.
'These nobles lay their spears right thick, And keep full firm array, Yet shall my charge their order break, And make my brethren way.'
He rush'd against the Austrian hand, In desperate career, And with his body, breast, and hand, Bore down each hostile spear.
Four lances splinter'd on his crest, Six shiver'd in his side; Still on the serried files he press'd - He broke their ranks, and died. '