Mercenaries

Mercenaries were originally hired soldiers as distinguished from feudal levies, now bodies of foreign troops in the service of the State. The Scots Guards in France from the 15th to 18th centuries were famous, and Swiss auxiliaries once belonged to most European armies. William III had Dutch mercenaries in England. Under the Georges, German were hired and were used in the American War, the Irish rebellion, and the Napoleonic struggle. In the Crimean War German, Swiss, and Italian were enrolled.

Nearby pages
Merchant banker, Merchant Facilities, Merchant-Exporter, Merchantable, Mercia