Miller, Doug The Army of the Swabian League 1525

The Swabian League was established as a defensive alliance of princes, prelates, and Imperial cities to maintain the peace within the territory of Southern Germany. In 1525 the League faced an existential threat in the form of an attempt by the exiled Duke Ulrich of Württemberg to retake his territory and a series of localised peasant uprisings which united into a movement for political reform. The League was forced to mobilise a mercenary armyat a time of financial crisis and a shortage of Landsknechts, many of whom were fighting in the Italian Wars. This book presents a detailed inside account of the different components and internal organisation of the League army. It focuses on two campaigns led by its supreme commander, Georg Truchsess von Waldburg, to maintain discipline during an intensive six-month campaign to thwart the Duke of Württemberg and smash the peasant rebellion whilst attempting to appease his political overlords within the League.

The League was forced to mobilise a mercenary army in times of financial crisis and shortage of available Landsknechts, many of whom fought in the Italian wars. This book provides a detailed insight into the various components and internal organisation of the army of the Swabian League. It focuses on two campaigns led by the commander-in-chief of the League forces, Georg Truchsess von Waldburg, to maintain discipline during an intense six-month campaign to thwart the machinations of the Duke of Württemberg and crush the peasant rebellion, while himself trying to appease his political masters in the League.