Landsknecht

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The Landsknechte (singular: Landsknecht) were German mercenaries of the early modern period. They formed the bulk of the Holy Roman Empire's Imperial Army from the early 16th century to the early 17th century.

History

Creation

As part of the Assassin campaign against the Borgia in the early 1500s, a number of Swiss mercenaries working for the Papal Guard were kidnapped and delivered to Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor in Vienna, who promptly had them employed as trainers for his army. Considering their ability to best the Swiss, Maximilian also requested Assassin input and they returned to the city disguised as condotierri. The two groups, along with Maximilian's finest knight Georg von Frundsberg, created a rigorous training method meant to train an infantry strong enough to rival to rival the Swiss. Having formed the first Landsknechte, considered then a powerful force more loyal to commander than coin, Maximilian offered the Assassins a regiment of the best among them, should the Assassins ever need the help.

Later actions and legacy

In 1527, the largely unpaid Landsknechte under Charles V entered the city of Rome and started looting it, in what is now considered one of the darkest moments of Roman history.

In 2016, a group of Assassins reliving memories of Rome during the Roman Kingdom experienced a glitch that transferred them to Rome during the 1527 sacking, with them having to avoid the Landsknechte while trying to escape the simulation.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game (first appearance)