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 Eberhauer Landsknecht Encampment | ||||
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 Per bend Or and argent, a bend raguly gules between a double-headed eagle sable and an elephant's tusk gules |
What's In A Name
The Landsknechte (singular: Landsknecht, pronounced [ˈlantsknɛçt]) were elite German-speaking mercenary foot soldiers who rose to prominence in the late 15th century and remained a dominant military force throughout much of the early modern period (roughly 1480–1600). Initially inspired by the disciplined Swiss pikemen who had humiliated knightly armies in the Burgundian Wars, the Landsknechte were created to be Germany's answer; a professional infantry that could match Swiss ferocity with equal organization, tactical innovation, and flamboyant pride.
Sanctioned by Emperor Maximilian I, the Landsknechte rapidly grew into the backbone of the Imperial Army of the Holy Roman Empire, though they also sold their swords across Europe to the highest bidder. Pike and shot formations were their bread and butter: great squares of pikemen, armed with 16- to 18-foot pikes, formed the defensive and offensive core, flanked by shot troops wielding early firearms like the arquebus.
Within their ranks, the front lines were often made up of Doppelsöldner ("double-pay men"), who took on greater risk for greater reward. These men were sometimes equipped with Zweihänder (massive two-handed swords) to break enemy pike formations, or wielded firearms in loose formation. Though the practical battlefield use of the Zweihänder is debated, its symbolism and psychological impact were undeniable, especially in the hands of the Brotherhood of Saint Mark, an exclusive fencing guild licensed by the Emperor himself.
What set the Landsknechte apart was not just their skill at arms, but their distinctive culture. Their fashion was infamous—slashed and puffed doublets, striped hose, massive plumes, and garish colors became a hallmark of their identity. This “Kleidung macht den Mann” ("clothing makes the man") philosophy was more than vanity; it was an expression of freedom, panache, and esprit de corps in a brutal profession.
Although loyal to their paymasters, the Landsknechte were notorious for their independence and rowdy behavior. They elected their own officers (notably the Hauptmann), operated under their own codes of law and honor, and were quick to mutiny or desert if unpaid. Despite this volatility, their battlefield discipline (especially in successful campaigns under leaders like Georg von Frundsberg) earned them a fearsome reputation across Europe.
Their era began to wane by the mid-17th century, as changing military technologies and centralized states shifted the tides of war. Yet in their heyday, the Landsknechte stood not only as mercenaries, but as a martial brotherhood: colorful, fearsome, and indelibly stamped into the fabric of Renaissance warfare.
Further Reading
- Landsknecht Wikipedia Entry[1]
- The Landsknechts, Osprey Publishing[2]
- Landsknecht Woodcuts: Kriegsvolker im Zeitalter der Landsknechte [3]
- Iron and Blood: A Military History of the German-Speaking Peoples since 1500[4]
Landsknecht In The Current Middle Ages
The Eberhauer Landsknecht are well known across Atenveldt for their rowdy parties, bawdy games, and tightly coordinated formations on the battlefield. Yet beyond the laughter and bravado, they are also one of the Kingdom’s most historically immersive units, often transforming their encampment into a period-accurate oasis; complete with a central gathering space flanked by canvas tents and pavilions, free from the trappings of the modern world.
Founded in Tir Ysgithr, the Eberhauer now draw their ranks from every corner of Atenveldt, including Twin Moons, Granite Mountain, Sun Dragon, and the Barony of Atenveldt itself. True to the mercenary spirit of their historical namesakes, they also welcome temporary sub-contracts from outside the Kingdom, offering camaraderie and coin to indentured households and fighting units who wish to march beneath their banners.
While renowned for their halberd and spear blocks, the Eberhauer Landsknecht have increasingly embraced other martial disciplines such as rapier, combat archery, and cut-and-thrust, with success both on the war field and in tournament lists. Their auxiliary ranks continue to grow, reflecting their commitment to adapting, evolving, and excelling.
What truly sets the Eberhauer apart is their investment in new fighters. Armed with an armory nearly 30 years old, a wealth of donated gear, and the support of numerous Laurels, the Landsknecht can take nearly any eager newcomer—from greenest farmer to wide-eyed recruit—and outfit them with moderately well-fitting armor, a spear, and a place in the line. The unit operates first and foremost as a team, and new fighters are quickly integrated into the tight-knit forest of pikes that defines the Landsknecht on the field.
In addition to strong ties within the SCA, the Eberhauer Landsknecht collaborate with external reenactment and martial communities, including the Phoenix Society of Historical Swordsmanship and the Arizona Blood Eagles, bridging the gap between historical martial arts and SCA chivalry (or knavery depending on who is being asked).
Ultimately, the Eberhauer Landsknecht carry on the legacy of their 16th-century counterparts—not just in garb and discipline, but in spirit: lifting up anyone with a will to fight, a heart for service, and a thirst for misadventure. They serve the Crown, win renown, and leave no war uncelebrated.
The Tross
"Eberhauer marches on the feet of fighters—but survives on the heart of the Trossvolk."
A soldier is useless if they’re too starved to fight or too sick to march, and a Landsknecht is certainly useless if they show up in shoddy garb or a bland tunic devoid of flair. Thankfully, history has provided the Landsknecht with a secret weapon: the Tross.
Derived from the German word for “wagon,” the Tross historically referred to the logistical heart of any Landsknecht company made up in large part by Trossfrauen, the stoic and capable camp followers who cooked the meals, mended the garb, nursed the wounded, and ensured that the fighting men didn’t wander off into battle hungry, heartbroken, or hungover.
In the Current Middle Ages, our understanding of gender and relationships may have grown more enlightened, but one thing hasn’t changed: the Tross remains the backbone of the Landsknecht. While the term Trossfrau is still used (more out of tradition than taxonomy), anyone—regardless of gender—who steps into that role of service, care, and logistical wizardry is proudly claimed as one of the Tross.
At Eberhauer, most Trossvolk are the partners, companions, or kin of fighters. But their role is so much more than support staff. While Eberhauer has a fearsome reputation on the battlefield, that reputation is owed to the entire unit including the tross. They are our coaches, cheerleaders, pit crew, field medics, tailors, quartermasters, counselors, meal-preppers, and midday water champions. Armor gets repaired. Breakfast and lunch get cooked while the fighters are away. Garb torn in yesterday’s melee is stitched, patched, and made battle‑ready again before the sun rises on the next march. Water gets hauled and distributed so fighters don’t fall over like overheated cattle. Camp gets tended; fires built, shade raised, supplies organized—so the returning line finds rest instead of chaos. Broken straps are replaced. Missing buckles reappear. Bruised egos get reset along with dented armor. And when the fighters stumble back exhausted, it is the Tross who make sure they eat, hydrate, cool down, and live to fight another day. And sometimes, most heroically of all, a panicked Landsknecht is handed a needle and thread and told, "Sit. We’re fixing this before court."
Simply put: the Tross are the reason we fight well and survive our own parties.
Without them, War of the Phoenix for the Landsknecht would end Wednesday night at the Landsknecht Party
Locations
Originally formed in 1987 in the Barony of Tir Ysgithr Now spread though-out Atenveldt and other kingdoms.
Order of Precedence
Eberhauer Landsknecht Order of Precedence.
Members
Fighters
Tross
Inactive Fighters and Tross
Unit Structure
A. Officer
Membership
A. Paid Member: A paid member is anybody approved to be a member that has paid there annual dues in full. Paid members will have the right to cast one vote for Hauptmann at elections and will get an opinion in all other activities and decision of the unit.
B. Non-paid member: A non paid member is anybody approved to be a member that has not paid there annual dues in full. Non paid members do not get a vote for Hauptmann and have no say in any decisions of the unit.
History
Former Hauptmann's
Social Media
Facebook: Eberhauer Landsknecht Facebook.
