Landsknecht Pikemen (30)

Landsknecht Pikemen (30)

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

During the Italian Wars, Landsknecht tactics adapted much more than those of the Swiss, and the use of firearms in conjunction with pikes gave them at least a tactical advantage.
The toughest of a rough lot were the veteran Doppelsöldner - soldiers with double pay. Their extra pay was for voluntarily fighting at the front lines and the associated risk. The trick was to survive to collect the extra pay!

The Doppelsöldner were usually armed with an arquebus or crossbow and positioned in front of the main blocks of pikemen. Alternatively, they could be armed with vicious six-foot long two-handed swords, or halberds of equal length. Landsknechte armed with two-handed swords were usually found in the front ranks of pike blocks or occasionally detached to form their own unit for special tasks and to protect the unit's colour group. The famous German mercenaries, the Black Band, included 2,000 two-handed swordsmen.
The Landsknechte, like other troops, used the crossbow and later the new arquebus black powder weapon for skirmishes in front of the pike blocks or as a separate tactical unit. They were also very useful in sieges.

Contents:

• Plastic components for: either 30 Pikemen or 24 Pikemen + 5 Arquebusiers
• Command sprue with options for officers, standard bearers, drummers, etc.
• Plastic bases.
• Background Guide with 5 full-colour flags.

The miniatures in this Landsknecht Pikemen (30) set are made of plastic components. They are unpainted and need to be assembled. Paints, tools, and glue are not included in the box.