Landsknecht - 1525

The landsknechts were German mercenaries that had a formidable reputation during the times of the early modern Europe. Their colorful attires and their martial expertise made them well known in the battlefields of the continent, in the particularly tumultuous late XV and early XVI centuries.

One of those mercenary troops was the Black Band, a military contingent that served at the orders of Francis I, the king of France. They fought in several battles and campaigns during the early XVI century, including the famous defeat of the French Army at the Battle of Pavia, in 1525, where they were virtually annihilated by the Imperial-Spanish coalition troops, which also captured the French king that same day.

Characteristic among the landsknechts were the dopplesöldners, a special type of troops that carried the famous two-handed sword called Zweihänder. This long sword was used to break formations of pikemen, as it was strong enough to break the points of the pikes. For that kind of dangerous job, these soldiers received double pay than the average soldier. That particular thing is also the origin of their name.

The miniature portrays one of these soldiers, dressed in the characteristic black and red attire of the Black Band. It can be painted in a wide variety of color combinations to represent any kind of other landsknechts.

This classic from miniatures history was released in the late 90s by Elite Miniaturas and the original boxart was painted by Mike Blank himself.