A group of them known as the Black Band, led by George Langenmantel, were completely demolished at the Battle of Pavia by a different group of these soldiers.
These troops gave their name to a card game played with two "Hand Cards" in which players win wagers placed on cards when the dealer has their card matched by the top card of the deck. Often, their front lines were paid twice as much and uncharacteristically wielded two-handed swords. Their distinctive, colorful dress came from their habit of looting slain enemies for rags to wear. Their name, coined by Peter von Hagenbach, literally means "servant of the country," and the first groups of them were recruited by Maxmilian I and Georg von Frundsberg, after which they fought in the Swabian War. A group of them known as the Black Band, led by George Langenmantel, were completely demolished at the Battle of Pavia by a different group of these soldiers. For 10 points, name these mercenary troops used during the 15th and 16th Centuries.
These troops gave their name to a card game played with two "Hand Cards" in which players win wagers placed on cards when the dealer has their card matched by the top card of the deck.
Landsknechts