German Great Company: "The Enemy of God"
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- Опубліковано 26 вер 2024
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This is the story of how a band of German mercenaries ran an Italy-wide protection racket, always selling their services to the highest bidders and eventually entering the pay of a Hungarian king to invade southern Italy. Founded and led by the infamous Werner of Urslingen, the self-proclaimed “enemy of god”, the German Great Company was one of the most sought-after, feared, and admired mercenary companies of renaissance Italy.
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Bibliography:
Bronner, F. X., Abenteuerliche Geschichte Herzog Werners von Urslingen, Aarau, 1828.
Caferro, W., John Hawkwood. An English Mercenary in Fourteenth-Century Italy, 2006.
Caferro, W., s. v. Meleto, battle of, in: The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology, 2010.
Clauss, M., Ludwig IV. - der Bayer. Herzog, König, Kaiser, 2014.
Dall’Oro,G., Les mercenaires dans les campagnes napolitaines de Louis le Grand, Roi de Hongrie, 1347-1350, In: John France, Mercenaries and Paid Men, The Mercenary Identity in the Middle Ages (History of Warfare, Volume: 47), pp. 61-88.
Mallet, M., Mercenaries and their Masters, 1974.
Graf, R., s. v. Bronner, Franz Xaver, in: Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz.
Schubring, K., Die Herzoge von Urslingen, Bamberg, Rodenbusch, 1972.
Schütz, A., "Ludwig" in: Neue Deutsche Biographie 15 (1987), S. 334-347 [Online-Version]; URL: www.deutsche-b...
Selzer, S., s. v. Konrad von Landau, in: The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology, 2010.
Selzer, S., s. v. Werner of Urslingen, in: The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology, 2010.
Selzer, S. Deutsche Söldner im Italien des Trecento, 2001.
Petrovics, I., s. v. Louis I, in: The Oxford Encyclopedia of Medieval Warfare and Military Technology, 2010.
Poten, B., von, "Urslingen, Werner Herzog von" in: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie 39 (1895), S. 372-374 [Online-Version]; URL: www.deutsche-b...
Zäch, A., Bronner, Franz Xaver. In: Neue Deutsche Biographie (NDB). Band 2, 1955.
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Small correction, but he was Lackfi, not Lacki.
Small Warning Louis comments are way bigger
Edgy teen medieval mercenaries are at it again.
Right? Lol
„The Captain said its my turn on the Xbox“
No wonder a lot of people like Machiavelli hated mercernaries guts.
Machiavelli is also a source for this video and he was partisan so I wonder how much of the thuggery was real.....
@@samsonsoturian6013it absolutely was real, it was just a accepted reality of the time but nobody really liked or trusted them, look into Francisco Sforza, a well known Condottieri. Machiavelli also hired a ton of mercenaries to defend a city and it ended up failing miserably, it was the reality of italy at the time. The power of arms was private, not in the hands of the states, so they would sell their swords to the highest bidder, you had to pay them naturally, because if you didnt they would mess you up, or go have someone pay them to mess you up.
@@samsonsoturian6013 How much of modern day PMC crimes to people admit is real or even care?
@@MarkMark-kj9xp Right! This was brought to my attention when learning about Federico da Montefeltro and the city of Urbino during his younger years of raiding and taxation to save his town.
@@MarkMark-kj9xpif they sold their swords, what did they fight with?
>be called free company
>cost money to hire
smh
Free for anybody to hire
Their marketing department was second to none
6:07 Got to love the scene transition from Werner's understanding of the nature of war whilst sporting a 1000-yard stare to a cheeky animated frog hiding in the water as if knowing what's to come.
The Papal States hiring the enemy of God 😂
And the enemy of god’s last known employer for that matter
Keep your enemies close lol
Not ironic, literally what the bible says to do
Not surprising given Papal tendencies
Given the history of the papacy, it checks out
Germans in the 1300s: terrorized Italy
Germans in the 1940s:
hey, we're sorry can we become allies now
The germans have always been cool to me, you guys should cover the italian wars in the future!
Especially the War of the League of Cambrai!
It's hella interesting to wonder if the bronze age collapse was in part due to such organic growth of mercenary bands (due to displacement, incentives, etc) when their power is unchecked.
Probably was the mechanism. With climatic changes for added motivation.
The "sea people" could have been mercenaries but they didn't leave any of their own equipment behind that indicated a heavily armed invasion force. Maybe it was a couple hundred people paid to f-off one lawn to another until their ruined trade routes left them with nothing to stick around for.
@@donaldpetersen2382when you’ve either been paid to fug off everywhere or the remaining places are too strong to challenge
“Dunno, that place with a big river looks promising”
Actually, it's kind of understandable when you set yourself in a day-to-day ancient mindset. Information, accuracy and punishment for atrocities are a relatively modern creation and concept. For most human history, you could mount a horse and sack and run your way through every country and territory you found, simply because there were no such means to catch up to you phisically or to outrun you even to just warn about incoming harm. Greater social cooperation and social improvement and maintenance of higher technology resulted in a real control of society of unchecked crimes and/or abuses. But when you think about, these social-techonological paradigms are kind of humbling and amazing to an equal degree.
@@donaldpetersen2382 The Late Bronze Collapse was pretty catastrophic, not just a couple of hundred soldiers. They left enough behind. I always thought on it more in terms of Viking raids and conquest, but mercenary armies playing the cities in East Mediterranean area against each other sounds plausible.
This is actually quite highly produced
hes using AI images... his older videos are highly produced this is visually very lazy. Im saying this as a longtime viewer and only want the best for his channel and dont want him using lazy tactics that take no effort
@@FutureBoyWonderthe research and the presentation of it given are not AI generated. if they're able to use their time for more of this, then i don't care much about the use of AI generated images
@@FutureBoyWonderSomething tells me you just hate anything Ai
@@FutureBoyWonder I'd rather having him use AI to make these images but having a well researched subject because making these images takes less time now than otherwise. If Ai has to be used, I prefer it to be used this way.
@@Smokedouttasianlike normal people? not druggies like you
No wonder Id never heard of any Lui rulers of Germany, their name was Ludwig.
Fun Fact: King Ludwig I of Bavaria was named after his godfather, King Louis XVI of France.
Lots of names can be literally translated... Charlemagne in german would be literally "charles the great"- karl der große. Cant think of other examples right now. Oh, balduin is baldwin in english...
@@AllisterCaine I know the Frankish Emporor as Kārlis Lielais. The english and french are weird for thinking his name doesnt start with a /k/.
But if were going by translating to english than the name is Luis not Lui, the english pronounce the final s, just like in english its Paris not Pari.
Louis-Ludwig-Lodewijk-Lajos-Ludovico-Luigi-Luis
@@quantjonna293 I see these as completely seperate wrods.
My people would say
Luijs-Ludvigs-Lodevijks-Lajoss-Ludoviks-Luīdžijs-Luiss
"Got a job for you 621"
What’s your pfp from? I swear it was a 70s/80s comedy about the British army
@@that1ginger22 Blackadder
@@nobleman9393 is that played by stephen fry the pedophile?
"..my hound always delivers."
Calling oneself Enemy of God at a time when the pope was probably the most powerful man in Europe is truly badass
At the time he had little real power
@@Teutonic_Ice
This was before the Hussite wars and the reformation so the Pope still had a vig voice
UA-cam comments idolising brutal murderers and rapists as usual
@@stefankatsarov5806
The papacy of that time, residing in Avignon, had degenerated into a French puppet.
There was another power spike after that time and before the reformation ... which partly caused the reformation.
Not really. This would have been a rough time for the Papacy. Between the west-east schism and the growing resentment of the multiple emperors of Europe the popes had to be careful.
Fascinating to think that in a time when militaries were so expensive even kings struggled to keep a standing army, mercenaries managed to band together in such numbers.
Sandrhoman back!
Thank you for your tireless work,
15:31 Konrad von Landau was a relative of the Counts and Later Dukes of Württemberg, a very famous and successful Swabian Dynasty (just as the „von Urslingen“ who were also Swabians.)
he also married a Bastard daughter of Bernabo Visconti of Milan, while his relative, Count Eberhard III „the Mild“ of Württemberg married a legitimate daughter of Bernabo (Antonia Visconti).
The „von Landau“ had been the more successful branch of the Württemberg Family, they even were Imperial Banner bearers in the 13th century, but after the late 13th century they went down hill, lost their seat and became mercenaries. It payed off though, as after their first few years as mercenaries, they came back as rich men, and bought their Castles back.
excellent video, incredibly high quality/well produced, unbelievably informative, and absolutely entertaining. great job again guys
Currently replaying Kingdom Come: Deliverance right now to prep for the upcoming sequel, I love your videos because they help me broaden the scope of the effects of the events of the game and context for the rest of Europe in the high middle ages
Where in medieval Europe is set up this game?
@@caioalmeida4139 Czechia (bohemia)
@@caioalmeida4139 it’s set in Bohemia (Czechia) in the early 15th century
@@jackhames3874 very cool!! Looks like a very unique scenario
"I'm feeling quite hungry"
Great video! I'm loving the merc series, keep it up
its always a good morning when I get enjoy sandrhoman with my coffee
Urslingen - Bear's Lay. Werner from Bear's Lay . Nice. Werner from Bumfuckville...
POV: You march against the papal state and see a German guy with "ENEMY OF GOD" on his armor leading the papal army XD
I highly recommend the Chivalry series by Christian Cameron. The protagonist, William Gold, comes into contact with the German company in Italy when he is a man at arms with Sir John Hawkwood’s White Company. Fantastic book series.
Great video! Btw the leader of the Hungarian army, the Voivode of Transylvania was Stephen (István) Lackfi, correctly pronounced as "Laats-k-fee".
Babe! Wake up, Sandrhoman dropped a new video!
I love the animation style so much, keep up the good work.
Highly rated. Pope would be pleased.
Awesome, thanks for the info!
Mercs running out of alcohol: oh boy, here I go pillaging again
9:45 Fear as their primary weapon? Or wait, fear and surprise. No, wait, three pirmary weapons...
And a fanatical dedication to the pope! (j/k)
Nice video, interesting topic
Excellent 👌 work! Well done, informative and on top of it there was a kind of a mini narrative (I call it mini only since it would be impossible to have a book length story in a short video) following the adventures of somebody.. I really hope all the best for you, you've been doing such a good job for a long time.
Names that end in S like Louis do not get an S character or sound added to them when made possessive. So it's Louis' power.
the fact that this time isnt portrayed in 100 movies and tv shows is criminal
12:59 - A clash near Capua? Where was the House of Batiatus?
Self-proclaimed tittle of "Enemy of God" for a dude who runs a nationwide "King of the Hill" racket succesfully... thats some legendary Boogaloo action right there (good or bad, well up to you to decide, Ive only watched 16 sec of the video thus far).
Enemy of God goes insanely hard
Love your channel. You make me want a world with 21st century technology and 17th century politics and culture (minus the nukes)
Neat video! I always thought the stories of Konrad Von Landau and Fra Moriale were extremely interesting, even with their ultimate demise. I've looked at Abenteuerliche Geschichte Herzog Werners von Urslingen previously and translated a little of it with what German I know and I wish something would be written on the company today. A lot of the modern books I looked through a few years ago only briefly mentioned The Great Company and its leaders. While I didn't get far in translating the book by Bronner, and I probably mistranslated a lot of it(not the best German and fraktur is a joy) I thought the early scene Bronner plays out about the raid on the village/town was extremely neat.
A small excerpt: "A son who hoped to save his battered father thought if he asked the general himself for help he might get a better response, he received a hint to the answer.
Writing with silver letters in front of his chest hung:
Werner, Duke of the Great Company, Enemy of God, of Pity, and Mercy.
Desolated, He ran with horror from them."
DUDE THEY'RE LIKE NORMANS, WITH GUNS!
12:17 The Defenestration of Aversa
Can you please do a video about Medieval ships? Thank you!
I think barbuta helmets didn't exist until the 15th century. It's a type of salet that comes from Italy.
“Nation-wide protection racket” pretty sure that’s called ‘a governement’
What a clever ad. Subbed
Did the Lombards left some cultural or genetic heritage in north italy by that time?
Any feudal lord run protection racket.
I was once told that England dont need a good army because its posible to buy one , and at the time i accepted that argument as it seemed to add up, only after learning from history and wagner did i realizxe you cant buy an army for very obvious reasons !
14:42 the name is mistaken. It is Lackfi - a "f" is missing. Stephen I Lackfi is the Voivode's name.
Other then that, great video!
This mercenary life must have been very unprofitable, if you could only equip yourself with 200 year old armor in the middle of the 14th century....;)
Can you do The Battle of Copenhagen of 1801 some time?
these vids always make me boot up mount and blade: warband.
Saved my day
Pim.
The Renaissance Men are coming.
The band of the Hawk. 😊
Just goes to show... There have always been jerks.
Being called "The enemy of God" is unfair regarding the Pope, who certainly was God most vicious enemy.
I can't wait to read the manga about them
Berserk
Love ur work man
I hope you do a video about peasants revolt
If Tanya Von Degurechaff was in renaissance era:
(Joke)
If I was an Italian city official. And I had to choose between hiring someone ballsy enough to call themselves the enemy of god and someone who wasn’t. I’d probably pick the enemy of god. It’s a great sales pitch
Werner von Urslingen: Enemy of God, the Church, of pity and of mercy, as he put it.
Bro rode on the front of the papal armies with that armor lmao
anyone else "the free company is mostly known for being hired 11.11.1444!" ?
The more things change the more they stay the same.
German and Saxons well known best warriors fighting ottoman in early 14th
Great!
must be a great time to be alive....
If I had a brother I'd want him to be like Louis the Great of Hungary.
I feel like stephen had a very unfortunate last name
wow
"im the enemy of God"
*The pope and Christians would like a word with you*
More often than not to hire you.
This guy was like the Mike Lindell of MyPillow of his time.
Could have told about the relationship between Gautier VI de Brienne, the ruler of Florence (for 10 months) and the Catalan Company that worked for his father and took the duchy of Athens from him (referencing your other video). It's a small world.
By the way you stressed all the wrong Italian syllables..
ps. I'm a huge fan
Also good content!
As a swede how like European history I like this channal you made quit good videos on my contry where are you self from. I think from your accent that english is not your native Language
Nice boot shaped peninsula you have there. Be a shame if somethin' was to ahh, you know "happen" to it?!
Lackfi*
The Hungarian commander was called Lackfi not Lacki. 😏
more mercenary companies! let's go! I hope to see more people not getting what this is in the comments just as in the other two videos where some lower IQ people pointed to Xenophon... not even close to what a free company is... but yeah excited for the comments, that's all.
Aren't you a smart little fella 😘
Enemy of God 🤘💀 that's f#@king metal as f#@king f#@k.
Excuse me, but to what extent are the sources war propaganda? Because while mercenary companies did attract literal thugs in their work, it sounds like some of this info is coming from Italians that fought said mercs
" 'The Enemy of God' Mercenary Company" - quite a 'forward-thinking' name for the time
👍👍
They sound like well armed homeless gangs
nit: Stephen Lackfi not Lacki.
why on the map are there islands in the middle of the adriatic?
Hans get me ze Koin ja
As an old Cod BO1 player would say while playing Zombies,
They ran a rape train.
The video is nice and well researched as always. But it is sad to see the use of AI generated images on the backgrounds. It makes the video look lazy and cheap.
thirty years when will realse
How did you protect your vast physical wealth back then?! Ya you're in battle.. where's your stuff? Why don't the people watching your stuff just take your stuff..
Germans running racket in Italy? Tell me more.
So that's where the Mafia comes from ? hahahaha ✌️
Swag 😎
i really, REALLY wish history youtubers would end using AI generated images. Theyre ugly, dilute genuine art, misrepresent the era and just like... cmon! Blech fucking AI? Its just not cool
Also visually you have always had a great distinct look to your channel and the AI images make you look more like everyone else. Dont be lazy and have AI do the work because then the money you earn is that much less EARNED
b
Gg
What if rome was never divided?
It was no possible.