16th Century FORUM
Plunder
Herlève
Does anyone know how soldiers, the Landsknecht in particular, turned plunder in coin? Did they have to haul valuables with them throughout a campaign season until they came to a city where they could sell large valuables? Could they do this in camp? I am picturing men unwilling to leave silver or gold too heavy to carry and to valuable to leave in their tents for even a moment. Or was there a rank system by which particularly valuable goods were turned in to superiors?
I posted this on the medieval board as well -- early Landsknechts.
Many Thanks!
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RESPONSES
| Herlève |
1
Aha! Found the answer! That's what women were for!
Posted: 10-Jun-2009 17:56
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| Herlève |
2
Meaning by the above that women kept soldiers' things safe.
Posted: 10-Jun-2009 17:56
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| Draconifer |
3
There is no reason to whitewash or romanticise history. You were right the first time.
Like the buccaneers of Port Royal the landsknechts lived
on the edge and spent their plunder accordingly.
The life expectancy of battle did not lend itself to retirement expectations.
The campfollowers were not faithful watchdogs of gold.
Yes they did make merry as it were.
Posted: 16-Jul-2009 08:31
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| Herlève |
4
I see. Thank you!
Posted: 18-Jul-2009 12:28
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| John DS |
5
In most cases there are civilians around, who are more than willing buying all that plunder. This was the case during the 80-years war (Dutch Revolt) in the Netherlands. Everyone knew there was a battle or siege. On pictures you see that civilians were used to carry the plunder. For transport soldiers worked together in small groups. The first thing to look for was convenient transport: a horse drawn cart or a civilian to carry things. Meanwhile comrades would go for and secure plunder. First the rich monastries and churches, then also the houses of the rich. I gues the commanders claimed most of these sites. Then there were warehouses of merchants etc. It was very convenient that hostages for ransom could walk by themselves. Few cattle would have remained after a siege. So this is the prospect of a soldier of the winning side.
Soldiers of the loosing side, even the dead ones lost everything, especially armour, weapons, boots, horses. What was left, was plundered by the farmers: underwear etc. (dead soldiers of Waterloo were burried in mass graves totally naked: everything was plubdered).
Posted: 23-Dec-2010 21:20
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| John DS |
6
Another adition to my comments: plunder was a highly organised activity, as it could be the cause of unrest or even fighting between the troops. Based on seniority there was a following order in the plunder: first the Spanish, then the Waloons and finally the Germans, each at one time. A city to be plundered could buy it off by offering money.
When there was no commanded plunder, like the sack of Antwerp (Spaanse furie) it was every man for his own.
Very often severe torture was used to find out hiding places of treasure. Even religeous treasures were not spared.
Posted: 12-Jan-2011 23:25
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