Landsknechts

thumb|upright=1.7|Landsknechte, etching by [[Daniel Hopfer, c. 1530]]

German noble

knight of the Holy Roman Empire (1481−1523)

militär titel

thumb|A Doppelsöldner with arquebus '''' ("double-mercenaries", "double-pay men", from German doppel- meaning double, Söldner meaning mercenary) were Landsknechte'' in 16th-century Germany who volunteered to fight in the front line, taking on extra risk, in exchange for double payment. The stated ratio was that one in four would be a . The of each company were usually issued with ranged weapons, such as a crossbow or an arquebus, and arranged in the wings of a square, in front of the pikemen.

formation of 16th century mercenaries