Doppelsöldner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Doppelsöldner (Double soldier) 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 armed with firearms.
Likewise, Landsknechts schooled in the use of the Zweihänder, 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 Emperor Frederick III granted it to them in 1487.
The Zweihänder was allegedly used by the Doppelsöldner to break through formations of pikeman 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. Cesare d'Evoli in 1583 discusses the impossibility of cutting pikes with a halberd and also dismisses the Zweihänder as a useless weapon.
[edit] Literature
- 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
[edit] Video Games
Doppelsöldner are depicted in Ensemble Studios' Age of Empires III as a unit unique to the German civilization and the non-playable Circle of Ossus cult. They are very expensive, reflecting their historical cost. They are effective against heavy cavalry in the game.
