Doppelsöldner: Difference between revisions
literal translation for the lead |
Corrected derivation of term "doppelsoldner". |
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'''{{Lang|de|Doppelsöldner}}''' ("double |
'''{{Lang|de|Doppelsöldner}}''' ("double pay-earner", from German "doppel" = double, "sold" = pay) were [[Landsknecht]]e in 16th-century Germany who volunteered to fight in the front line, taking on extra risk, in exchange for double payment. The stated ratio was that one {{Lang|de|Landsknecht}} in four would be a {{Lang|de|Doppelsöldner}}. A small number of the {{Lang|de|Doppelsöldner}} of each company were usually issued with ranged weapons, such as a [[crossbow]] or an [[arquebus]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Cliff|title=The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology|volume=1|year=2010|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0195334035|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=mzwpq6bLHhMC&pg=RA1-PA487&dq=Doppels%C3%B6ldner&hl=en&sa=X&ei=aZSsT9z6DoLH6QGeuvi_BA&ved=0CEYQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Doppels%C3%B6ldner&f=false}}</ref> |
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Likewise, {{Lang|de|Landsknechte}} schooled in the use of the [[Zweihänder]] (two-hander), a two-handed sword, were entitled to double pay and thus qualified as {{Lang|de|Doppelsöldner}}.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clements|first=J|title=The Weighty Issue of Two-Handed Greatswords|url=http://www.thearma.org/essays/2HGS.html|publisher=ARMA|accessdate=11 May 2012}}</ref> The fencing guild of the [[Brotherhood of St. Mark]] had the monopoly on the use of the {{Lang|de|Zweihänder}} after [[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor]] granted it to them in 1487. |
Likewise, {{Lang|de|Landsknechte}} schooled in the use of the [[Zweihänder]] (two-hander), a two-handed sword, were entitled to double pay and thus qualified as {{Lang|de|Doppelsöldner}}.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clements|first=J|title=The Weighty Issue of Two-Handed Greatswords|url=http://www.thearma.org/essays/2HGS.html|publisher=ARMA|accessdate=11 May 2012}}</ref> The fencing guild of the [[Brotherhood of St. Mark]] had the monopoly on the use of the {{Lang|de|Zweihänder}} after [[Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor]] granted it to them in 1487. |
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Revision as of 03:43, 2 July 2014
Doppelsöldner ("double pay-earner", from German "doppel" = double, "sold" = pay) were Landsknechte in 16th-century Germany who volunteered to fight in the front line, taking on 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 ranged weapons, such as a crossbow or an arquebus.[1]
Likewise, Landsknechte schooled in the use of the Zweihänder (two-hander), a two-handed sword, were entitled to double pay and thus qualified as Doppelsöldner.[2] 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 veracity of this tradition is disputed, but at least as a legend, it appears to date to at least the 17th century.
They serve as the core heavy infantry unit for Germany in the popular 2005 real-time strategy game, Age of Empires III.
References
- ^ Rogers, Cliff (2010). The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195334035.
- ^ Clements, J. "The Weighty Issue of Two-Handed Greatswords". ARMA. Retrieved 11 May 2012.