Ethan Clarke
The Landsknechte, also rendered as Landsknecht or Lansquenets, were German mercenaries used in pike and shot formations during the early modern period. National 'standing armies' were uncommon during this time, and the Landsknechte were instigated by the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I as a reaction to the Swiss mercenary pikemen. The Landsknechte were known for their colourful and outlandish dress, including plumes, slashed sleeves, and bright colours. Today, Warlord Games offers plastic Landsknecht boxed sets for historical wargames, containing enough parts to make multiple Landsknecht miniatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | German mercenaries used in pike and shot formations during the early modern period |
| Time Period | Late 15th and early 16th centuries |
| Composition | Predominantly pikemen and supporting foot soldiers, with Doppelsöldner ("double-pay men") in the front line |
| Armament | Zweihänder, arquebus, crossbow, halberds |
| Dress | Outlandish, including plumes, slashed sleeves, and bright colors |
| Manufacturer | Warlord Games |
| Material | Plastic |
| Scale | 28mm |
| Quantity | Boxed set with enough parts to make 30 pikemen or 24 pikemen and 5 arquebusiers |
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What You'll Learn
The Landsknechts were German mercenaries
The Landsknechte were created by the Habsburg king Maximilian I in the late 15th century to support German military activity. Maximilian was influenced by the Swiss pikemen, the Reisläufer, who had repeatedly defeated Charles the Bold, the Duke of Burgundy, and his well-equipped army. The Swiss army was highly motivated, aggressive, and well-trained. Maximilian began raising the first Landsknecht units in 1486, amassing 6,000–8,000 mercenaries. In 1488, he organized the Swabian League, creating an army of 12,000 infantry and 1,200 cavalry to deter Bavaria and Bohemia.
The Landsknechte were highly independent and elected many of their own officers. They were known to mutiny if they were not paid and were likely to swap sides in the middle of a battle if offered more money. They were also known to take their pay in plunder, as in the Sack of Rome in 1527. They were well-armed and experienced warriors, recruitable in large numbers throughout Germany and Austria by the Holy Roman Emperor. This guaranteed both quantity and quality to the Imperial military for a century and a half.
The Landsknechte were instrumental in many of the Emperor's victories, including the decisive Battle of Pavia in 1525. They were also employed by the Habsburg emperor and the royal Valencian authorities in the suppression of the First Revolt of Espadà of 1526. At their peak in the early 16th century, the Landsknechte were considered formidable soldiers who were often brave and loyal. However, these qualities may have declined afterward, and by the middle of the 16th century, their status had decreased due to underemployment and a population explosion in Europe.
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They were used in pike and shot formations
The Landsknechte (singular: Landsknecht) were German mercenaries used in pike and shot formations during the early modern period. The term "Landsknecht" first appeared in the German language around 1470, meaning "servant of the land". They were formed by Maximilian I, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, around the same time. The Landsknechte continued the mercenary habits of the Swiss, which meant they became in-demand. They lacked permanent political commitment and were not tied to the Reich, which meant they were only bound to those who could afford to hire them. They were hired by many noblemen to solve their quarrels, which consequently meant that the Holy Roman Empire became a battleground for squabbles between minor nobles.
The Landsknechte were well-armed and experienced warriors, recruitable in large numbers throughout Germany and Austria by the Holy Roman Emperor. This guaranteed both quantity and quality to the Imperial military for a century and a half. The Landsknechte were predominantly composed of pikemen and supporting foot soldiers, with their front line formed by Doppelsöldner ("double-pay men"), who were renowned for their use of Zweihänder and arquebus. The Landsknechte were also known to use firearms in conjunction with their pike formations, giving them a tactical edge over the French.
In battle, the Landsknechte troops would form an Igel (hedgehog) position. This consisted of a large square of pikemen (up to 4,000 strong) surrounded by double ranks of halberdiers, swordsmen, and arquebusiers, presenting an impenetrable defence to the enemy while offensively trampling everything in its path. Another position used was the Verlorene Haufe (forlorn hope) position, which involved a thin line of double-handed swordsmen and halberdiers that would charge at an opposing Igel formation, breaking up their ranks by darting in between enemy pikes.
The pike and shot formation was a historical infantry tactical formation that first appeared during the late 15th and early 16th centuries and was used until the development of the bayonet in the late 17th century. This type of formation combined soldiers armed with pikes and soldiers armed with firearms such as arquebuses and muskets. The formation was initially developed by the Holy Roman (Landsknechte) and Spanish (Tercios) infantries, and later by the Dutch and Swedish armies in the 17th century.
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They formed the bulk of the Holy Roman Empire's Imperial Army
The Landsknechte, also rendered as Landsknechts or Lansquenets, were German mercenaries used in pike and shot formations during the early modern period. They were predominantly pikemen with supporting foot soldiers, and their front line was formed by Doppelsöldner ("double-pay men"), who were distinguished by their use of Zweihänder and arquebus.
The Landsknechte formed the bulk of the Holy Roman Empire's Imperial Army from the late 15th century to the early 17th century. They fought in numerous significant conflicts, including the Habsburg-Valois wars, the Habsburg-Ottoman wars, and the European wars of religion. The Holy Roman Emperor could recruit them in large numbers throughout Germany and Austria, ensuring both the quantity and quality of his troops.
The origins of the Landsknechte can be traced back to the Burgundian Wars, where the Swiss Confederation's militia army repeatedly defeated the armies of Charles the Bold, eventually killing him and eliminating Burgundy as a European power. Archduke Maximilian, who became co-ruler of Burgundian lands in 1477, was influenced by these victories and began raising the first Landsknecht units in 1486, amassing 6,000–8,000 mercenaries.
In the 1490s, the well-trained Landsknechte proved their effectiveness by defeating significantly larger Frisian armies. They continued to play a crucial role in various battles, such as the siege of Älvsborg Fortress in 1502, the Battle of Novara in 1513, and the Battle of Pavia in 1525, where they secured a decisive victory for the Emperor. At their peak in the early 16th century, they were considered formidable soldiers known for their bravery and loyalty.
However, the Landsknechte were prone to mutiny if they were not paid, and their ranks were divided between Catholics and Lutherans. Despite these challenges, they provided the Holy Roman Empire with a well-armed and experienced military force for over a century, contributing significantly to the Empire's military might during this period.
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They were used in many forces
The Landsknechte were German mercenaries used in pike and shot formations during the early modern period. They were predominantly pikemen with supporting foot soldiers. The Landsknechte were well-armed and experienced warriors, recruitable in large numbers throughout Germany and Austria by the Holy Roman Emperor. They were used in many forces, including the Imperial Army, which was made up of Spaniards (Colunella Infantry, Knights, and artillery), Burgundians (Knights), Germans (who mostly provided Landsknechts and artillery), and Italian allies. The Imperial Landsknechte were instrumental in many of the Emperor's victories, including the decisive Battle of Pavia in 1525. They were also employed by the Habsburg emperor and the royal Valencian authorities in the suppression of the First Revolt of Espadà of 1526.
The term "Landsknechte" first appeared in the German language around 1470 to describe certain troops in the army of Charles, Duke of Burgundy. The term was later morphed into "Lanzknecht", referring to the unit's use of the pike as its main weapon. The Landsknechte were first raised by Archduke Maximilian, who became the co-ruler of Burgundian lands in 1477 by marrying Mary of Burgundy. Maximilian was influenced by the Swiss pikemen, called Reisläufer, who had repeatedly defeated and eventually killed Charles, eliminating Burgundy as a European power. In 1486, Maximilian began raising the first Landsknecht units, amassing 6,000-8,000 mercenaries. One of these units became known as the ""Black Guard", considered the first Landsknechte. In 1488, Maximilian organized the Swabian League, creating an army of 12,000 infantry and 1,200 cavalry to deter Bavaria and Bohemia. This is considered the first Landsknecht army raised in Germany.
The Landsknechte were involved in many wars and conflicts, including the Austrian-Hungarian War of 1490, the Italian Wars (1494-1559), revolts in the Netherlands, Swiss and Swedish independence uprisings, the Peasants' War (1524-25), the Landshut War of Succession (1504), the Siege of Vienna (1529), the Spanish Conquest of the Americas, and 16th-century religious wars. They were also involved in the Sack of Rome in 1527, which led to the death of one of their commanders, Georg von Frundsberg. The Landsknechte were known for their bravery and discipline, but their reputation was overshadowed by the emergence of the Spanish tercios, who were more expensive to train but less abundant.
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They were known for their colourful dress
The Landsknechts were German mercenaries used in pike and shot formations during the early modern period. They formed the bulk of the Holy Roman Empire's Imperial Army from the late 15th century to the early 17th century. They were known for their colourful and flamboyant dress, which was a symbol of the era's bold fashion and warfare prowess.
The Landsknechts' attire included bright-coloured fabrics, puffed sleeves, and the iconic Landsknecht hat adorned with vivid plumes. Their pants were also bold, with slashes revealing bursts of contrasting colours. These garments represented freedom and individuality in a time of structured societal norms. The more slashes one had, the more badass they were perceived to be. This was also a way of showing off expensive fabric and making looted clothes fit.
The Landsknechts were exempt from sumptuary laws, which dictated that one's attire should be according to one's social standing. In 1503, Emperor Maximilian I granted them the rare privilege to dress beyond their class, endorsing their affinity for flamboyant dressing. This decree cemented their place as a cultural phenomenon in Renaissance Europe.
The Landsknechts' influence on fashion extended beyond their time, intertwining military and civilian trends. Their distinct style of dress, with its vibrant hues and exaggerated cuts, has left an enduring imprint on European couture. Today, enthusiasts can forge a personal connection to these mercenaries by donning custom Landsknecht attire, which preserves the meticulous craftsmanship associated with the original costumes.
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Frequently asked questions
Warlord Games offers a plastic Landsknecht Boxed Set that contains enough parts to make 30 hard plastic pikemen or 24 pikemen and 5 arquebusiers with a command sprue offering options for officers, standard bearers, and drummers.
The most striking aspect of a Landsknecht force was their outlandish dress. Maximillian was keen to give the men freedom to wear what they wanted, and this resulted in plumes, slashed sleeves, and bright colors.
The word Landsknecht first appeared in the German language circa 1470 to describe certain troops in the army of Charles, Duke of Burgundy. As early as 1500, the term was morphed into Lanzknecht, referring to the unit's use of the pike as its main weapon.
The Army Muster Bundle contains enough miniatures to make 90 Landsknechts armed with pikes, as well as character models, Götz Von Berlichingen and Georg Von Frundsberg, for free.
Yes, Warlord Games offers a range of deals on plastic miniature sets, including the Grav Stug Kickstarter, the Bolt Action Starter Set, and the Panzer IV Ausf. F1/G/H medium tank.
