Hello guys, I've been reading a lot about aspects of the history and organization of Landsknechts, as well as their similarities and differences with the Swiss mercenaries, so I would like to make some questions that some of you might be able to answer:


-> Most of the pictorial sources of the Landsknechts usually comes from woodcarvings from the early sixteenth century. However, most of these carvings shows virtually ALL mercenaries with little or no armor at all. Certain modern drawers even represent most of them fighting without armor and wearing their hats instead of helmets, for example. I know Landsknecht used to hate wearing armour outside battles, so that's probably explain why the carvings shows them in a more "casual manner" (as if they were in daily campsite live). Still, I have to ask: is it true that most of the Landsknechts, at least in the period 1487 to 1515/1525, were known to not be so armoured as, for example, the swiss were?

I also notice this picture:
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Mail Hauberks were still a recurrent armour among them by early 16th century?

-> About Messers: It's usually claimed that Messers, Langmessers and Kriegsmessers, as german renaissance swords, were a popular weapon among the Landsknecht, however, they aren't nearly as popular as Katzbalger as it is shown. My question is: Messers really came to be popular weapons? It had some considerable adhesion between the Landsknechts, and if it had, it was just among Doppelsoldners?

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Last Question: It is known that the Swiss didn't take prisoners, but Landsknechts also had this conduct? I know they don't spared Swiss and other Landsknechts enemies, but this also extended to high-born prisoners or anyone who could worth a good ransom?

This set of woodcuts in particular has several depictions of late 16th-century English troops in mail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Image_of_Irelande,_with_a_Discoverie_of_Woodkarne

The 'strange neck guard' you refer to is just a high-collared gorget. Pretty nice piece of armor in that day. ;) ....McM

In regards to the messer...most of what I've read talks about how the messer was a very common weapon throughout the Germanic areas...."Here they fight with Messers, God ref their souls." Stands to reason Landsknecht would carry them as being pretty easy to find and probably some xperience with them just growing up German. The Katzbalger would have more cachet as a signature weapon, of course. These guys were all about the swagger.

Yes, there's nothing even remotely odd about the articulated plate gorgets. They're very similar to the types attached to contemporary close-helmets.