Tross

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Landsknecht with his Wife. Etching by Daniel Hopfer.

The Tross (sometimes spelled Dross) was the camp follower contingent of the Landsknecht mercenary regiments which originated at the end of the fifteenth century and were the dominant form of infantry mercenary force throughout the sixteenth century. Each Landsknecht unit traveled with a Tross contingent, which followed behind. They carried the military and fighting necessities, the food and the belongings of each "soldat" ("soldier") and his family. Members of the Tross were made up of women, children and some craftsmen. The term "support staff" can be used to give the German word a clearer meaning, although its true English translation is "Unit train" or "Baggage train".

The women who made up the majority of the Tross were wives of the soldiers, or other family members such as sisters, nieces, or daughters. Some of the women were betrothed to a member of the military unit. Very few single, unattached women were permitted into the ranks of the Tross in fear that they would become prostitutes. Unattached women allowed into the Tross were those who possessed a skill or trade which made them a valuable asset not only to the Tross unit but to the military unit as well. However, they were closely watched until they took a legitimate husband. In addition were supporting craftsmen and dealers of all kinds.

The custom of a regiment being followed by the Tross continued beyond the period of the Landsknechts. During the Thirty Years' War, it could occur that a 1,000 man regiment would be accompanied by 500 women and 300 children. The Tross was indispensable for supply purposes, although it limited the freedom of movement of the army. At times the Tross fell prey to the opposing army.

[edit] Notes

Portions of this article were translated from the German Wikipedia.

[edit] References

Möller, Hans-Michael. Das Regiment der Landsknechte: Untersuchungen zu Verfassung, Recht und Selbstverständnis in Deutschen Söldnerheeren des 16. Jahrhunderts. Frankfurter Historische Abhandlungen (Steiner), 1976.