Landsknechts were European, most often German, mercenary pikemen and supporting foot soldiers from the late 15th to the late 16th century, and achieved the reputation for being the universal mercenary of the European Renaissance. An experienced Landsknecht could be designated a Doppelsöldner,or "Double Soldier" because they recieved twice the normal pay of other mercenaries, and instead of wielding a pike as did more recent recruits, would employ a six to eight foot long halberd or partisan, or, more famously, a Zweihänder, a two-handed sword as long as 180 cm (6 ft). These great war swords could be used to hack off the heads of enemy pikes; or more likely to knock the pikes aside, creating disorder among the tightly arranged enemy pikemen in order to break through their lines. Set-up & rendered in Poser 8 Postwork in Photoshop CS4 Thanks for looking and any comments.