Landsknecht Missile Troops

Landsknecht Missile Troops

The late 15th and early 16th centuries in Europe were characterized by almost constant warfare. National "standing armies" were unknown, and the ambitions of empires depended on the mercenaries they could afford to hire.
Landsknechts were initiated by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I in response to the Swiss mercenary pikemen, who had dominated the battlefields for decades before the Italian Wars (1494-1559).

They could be found in most armies of Western Europe at that time; even on the British Isles, they appeared in the service of Henry VIII. Clashes between rival Landsknecht regiments, which became known as the "Evil War," were particularly bloody.
The most striking aspect of a Landsknecht troop was their strange attire. Maximilian sought to give the men the freedom to wear what they wanted, and this led to feathers, slashed sleeves, and vibrant colors.

Landsknechts, like other troops, used the crossbow and later the new arquebus gunpowder weapon as skirmishers in front of the pike blocks or as independent tactical units. They were also very useful during sieges.

The figures in this box can be used to represent Landsknechts in Germany or other nations of that era.

The box contains 30 Landsknechts.
Models are supplied unassembled and unpainted.