Pike & Shotte Landsknechts With Zweihanders Miniatures

 

In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Europe was a constant battleground with no organized national armies. Instead, mercenary companies, such as the vividly attired Landsknechts, dominated the fields of war. These fierce fighters were first commissioned by the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximillian I, in response to the Swiss mercenary pikemen who had reigned in battle since the Italian Wars (1494-1559). Landsknechts were highly sought-after and could be found in various Western European armies, and even served Henry VIII in the British Isles. Their clashes were notoriously brutal, earning them the nickname "Bad War". Of these skilled soldiers, the toughest were the veteran Doppelsöldner, double-paid for their bravery and willingness to fight in the front lines. For those who survived, the extra payment was well worth the risk. 

 

Doppelsöldner would most often be armed with the ranged arquebus or crossbow and arrayed in front of the main blocks of pikemen. Alternatively, they may be armed with the vicious six-foot-long two-handed swords, the Zweihänders, or equally long halberds. Zweihänder-armed Landsknechts would generally be found in the front ranks of the pike blocks or occasionally detached to form their own unit for special roles as well as providing protection for the unit’s colour party. The famous German mercenaries, the Black Band, included 2,000 two-handed swordsmen.

The figures in this boxed set can be used to represent the Landsknechts raised in Germany or other nations of the period and can be armed with either halberds or Zweihänder swords.

This box set contains:

    Plastic and metal components to make 12 Landsknechts with two-handed swords and 12 with halberds.
    Plastic bases.

Models supplied unassembled and unpainted