So when (if ever) has the “blocking in” spear and shield tactic that Ramsay Bolton used to surround Jon’s force (on GoT last night) been used in history? How does it usually work?

Ramsay’s tactic is not that different from Hannibal’s double envelopment at Cannae, or Miltiades at Maratheon.

My issue with it is that, with the way the battle’s been set up, both sides’ cavalry and Jon’s infantry have charged into the middle of a field, so it’s going to take a long time for Ramsay’s pike and shield-carrying infantry to complete their encirclement. 

There’s no good reason besides narrative necessity that Jon’s entire army would stand there and watch without trying to redeploy or attempt a breakout or something.