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Uniforms
The figures below illustrate some of the ‘uniform’
aspects that have been noted with regard to Landsknecht soldiers (and provide
another mock up to colour in!).
1. St Andrews Cross of the Empire. This is, more often
than not, represented as simple as in this diagram on the front, back and
occasionally arms of soldiers. For Officers I have noticed a more elaborate
ragged representation being depicted on the front of their coats. Notice also
that he wears a peacock feather, this was another symbol of the Empire, this
basic example will help you get the colour and pattern right;
2. The Fleur de Lys is depicted on Landsknechts in
French service in much the same manner as that of the Imperial cross. The figure
represents a soldier of the Black L
1.)
2.) 
3.) 
4.) 
3. German Guard. Set up in 1519 as a personal guard of Charles V, they wore red cloth hats, and mis-matched white and yellow clothing. This example is shown with the imperial eagle on his chest. (source; Armamento de los Ejercitos de Carlos V en la Guerra de Alemania. Royal Armouries, Leeds. )
4. Worthy of a notable mention is the Willibald
Pirckheimer Regiment. This was raised in 1529 in Nuremberg (City heraldry / flag
pictured) and outfitted in red
hose and jerkins.
5 & 6. Henry VIII employed Landsknechts in quite considerable numbers and whilst there are no contemporary depictions of them in English uniform there is one description of a 1511 expedition to Spain where 500 were hired. These were issued with the ‘white coats’ of their English allies but it is noted that these were; ‘cut so small that (they) could scarce hold together.’ It is not a wild leap of the imagination to consider that some, officers perhaps, may have also worn a simple cross of St George, as per the example in 6.
5.)
6.)
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