Doppelsöldner
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Doppelsöldner (Double mercenary) were Landsknechts in 16th-century Germany who were prepared to fight in the front line, taking an extra risk, in exchange for double payment. The stated ratio was that one Landsknecht in four would be a Doppelsöldner. A small number of the Doppelsöldner of each company were usually issued with firearms.
Likewise, Landsknechts schooled in the use of the Zweihänder(two-hander), a massive two-handed sword, were entitled to double pay and thus qualified as Doppelsöldner. The fencing guild of the Brotherhood of St. Mark had the monopoly on the use of the Zweihänder after Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor granted it to them in 1487.
The Zweihänder was allegedly used by the Doppelsöldner to break through formations of pikemen, especially swiss pikemen, by either being swung to break the ends of the pikes themselves or to knock them aside and attack the pikemen directly. The factuality of this tradition is disputed, but at least as a legend, it appears to date to at least the 17th century.
[edit] Appearances in modern media
Doppelsöldners appear in Ensemble Studio's Age of Empires III as a German hand combat and anti cavalry unit. Doppelsöldners are portrayed quite accurately in the game as expensive and effective frontline soldiers.
[edit] References
- Douglas Miller, John Richards: Landsknechte 1486-1560, ISBN 3-877-48636-3
- Thomas Arnold: The Renaissance at War, ISBN 0-304-36353-7
- Christer Jörgensen: Slagfältet under stormaktstiden, ISBN 91-85377-44-9
