Even though the city of Cologne avoided being drawn into conflicts in the early modern period, the military played an often underestimated role in everyday life. A large part of the male population served in the citizen's militia, and the recruited soldiers and their families formed a military population that was closely interwoven with their civilian neighbours. In addition, there were foreign military forces, especially numerous recruiters who helped themselves to Cologne's violent market. The mayor and council used the threads of military organisation that ran throughout the city to stabilise rule and administration. At the same time, they developed mechanisms of authoritative control over armed power, which represented an alternative to the development of large armies in territorial states.
Author
Plassmann, Max
Title
Stadtgesellschaft und Militä
Details
21 colour illustrations. 272 pages.
State
new
Subtitle
Köln in der Frühen Neuzeit
Böhlau Verlag Ursulaplatz 1 50668 Köln Deutschland
