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Landsknechts were European, most often German, mercenary pikemen and supporting foot soldiers from the late 15th to the late 16th century, who achieved the reputation for being the universal mercenary of the European Renaissance. Landsknechts were trained in the use of the famous long pikes and used the pike square formations developed by the Swiss. A pike is a pole weapon, a very long thrusting spear used two-handed and used extensively by infantry. Unlike many similar weapons, the pike is not intended to be thrown. Pikes were used by European troops from the early Middle Ages until around 1700, wielded by foot soldiers deployed in close order. A mercenary is a soldier who takes part in an armed conflict, who is not a national or a party to the conflict, and is motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by the desire for private gain. He is promised, by or on behalf of a party to the conflict, material compensation substantially in excess of that promised or paid to combatants of similar ranks and functions in the armed forces of that Party. |
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The Landsknechts are a Medieval and Renaissance performing arts troupe without equal. Whether you want your lanes filled with colorful characters, someone to host special events, teach you or your patrons historic medieval combat, choreograph stage combat, or nearly anything else you can imagine, the Landsknechts are for you. They are your soldiers for hire.
Fraulein
Britta with Wilhelm Eberharrdt (Bill
Clark) & Jürgen Dietrich (Jeremey
Davis), soldiers of fortune.
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Oberst Baron Gerrit von Greyssn Oberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti and the Icelandic rank ofursti.
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Wilhelm
Eberhardt teaches Zweihänder combat technique An experienced Landsknecht could be designated a Doppelsöldner, and instead of wielding a pike as did more recent recruits, would employ a six to eight foot long halberd or partisan, or, more famously, a Zweihänder, a two-handed sword as long as 6 feet (although it was generally called at the time a Beidhänder rather than a Zweihänder).
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These great war swords could be used to hack off the heads of enemy pikes; or more likely to knock the pikes aside, creating disorder among the tightly arranged enemy pikemen in order to break through their lines. |
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A Landsknecht with his Wife An etching circa 1500 by Daniel Hopfer. Notice the huge Zweihänder sword over his shoulder, and the smaller Katzbalger sword at his hip, both emblematic of the Landsknecht. |
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Theobold Hochstetter (Ted Dwyer) and Oberst Baron Gerrit von Greyssn (Devon Sharkey) with a guest.
Visit the Landsknechts at MySpace
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Hauptmann (Captain) Fritz Karrer
Rosenvolk Renaissance Faire: Live the medieval
life for a weekend
Romance, royalty, music, mead, knights, fire
breathers, jesters and jousting! Rosenvolk has it all
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Albrecht, a young pikeman a.k.a. Ken Mortimer Ken enjoys technology & history and thrives in diversity. Has done everything from flight lessons to school librarian. A graduate of St. Pete Jr. College, he is working on his degree in Computer Science at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, with a possible minor in German and has an intern position with Cole Engineering Services, Inc. Ken's MySpace
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Kimberley, a playtron, is
entertained by
Albrecht's Medieval humor.
(Ken Mortimer),
a landsknecht.
Three of ten Fraulein
Basket Weavers
Grizelda Weinzapfel, Mildred, and Britta weave 15th Century German-style
baskets.
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Fraulein Britta, a.k.a. Samantha Turner-Richardson |
Albrecht on his private perch a.k.a. Ken Mortimer |
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Hauptmann
Fritz Karrer, Wilhelm Eberhardt , Frauleins Grizelda Weinzapfel & Fygen Wunderlich
Fritz
Karrer
at the 2015 Rosenvolk Renaissance Fair |
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| Oberst Garrit von Greyssn and Fraulein Grizelda Weinzapfel with a fine variety of traditional German foods. |
Fraulein Grizelda Weinzapfel, a.k.a.
Libby Higdon |
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Members of the Landsknechts train constantly in
Medieval and Renaissance combat, both armed and unarmed. From
wrestling and dagger fighting to longsword and rapier, the
Landsknechts work constantly to actually be the historic soldiers they
portray. The Landsknechts meet every Tuesday night at the Highland
Recreation Center on Highland Avenue in Largo, Florida to train and
practice. |
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Fechtschule - Fencing School Korbflechten - Basketry |
Theobold Hochstetter (Ted Dwyer) gives intense combat instruction to a young landsknecht wannabe. |
| Wilhelm Eberhardt instructs an armored knight in the fine art of hand-to-hand combat. |
Wilhelm Eberhardt instructs a young lad in the use of the Zweihänder
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Theobold instructs playtrons of all ages in the landsknecht's western martial arts style, regardless of gender.
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Though the Renaissance Festival affords the landsknechts an opportunity for fun and enjoyment, it is the aspect of providing historical combat training and instruction that brings them the most satisfaction. Above and below, he demonstrates various ringen (wrestling) and close quarters fighting techniques with the dolch (rondel dagger.) |
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