Free company

Quick Facts: Who was Free company?

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Free company

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Independent mercenary armies active in Europe from the 12th to 14th centuries.

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Origins & Early Life

A free company (sometimes called a great company or, in French, grande compagnie) was an army of mercenaries between the 12th and 14th centuries recruited by private employers during wars. They acted independently of any government, and were thus "free". They regularly made a living by plunder when they were not employed; in France they were called routiers and écorcheurs and operated outside the highly structured law of arms. The term "free company" is most often applied to those companies of soldiers which formed after the Peace of Brétigny during the Hundred Years' War and were active mainly in France, but it has been applied to other companies, such as the Catalan Company and companies that operated elsewhere, such as in Italy and the Holy Roman Empire. The free companies, or companies of adventure, have been cited as a factor as strong as plague or famine in the reduction of Siena from a glorious rival of Florence to a second-rate power during the later 14th century; Siena spent 291,379 florins between 1342 and 1399 buying off the free companies.

Career & Major Achievements

The White Company of John Hawkwood was active in Italy in the latter half of the 14th century. Mercenary groups first appeared in the 12th century, when they participated in the Anarchy (a conflict of succession between King Stephen and Empress Matilda between 1137 and 1153). In the 1180s, similar groups were integrated into the armies of the King of France under Philip II of France. These troops of seasoned mercenaries were organized and mobile, a valuable advantage during the battles of the time, and were important elements of the armies of Henry II of England and his son, Richard I. King John used them at the beginning of his reign, when he was richer and more powerful than the King of France. However, in 1204, he did not pay the mercenaries.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Philip II of France used them to overcome the Plantagenets. During the Hundred Years War between England and France there were intermittent hostilities punctuated by periods of truce, when soldiers would be laid off en masse. In the absence of civilian skills and opportunities many, especially the foreign soldiers, formed armed bands known as bandes de routiers or écorcheurs and made a living by pillaging the countryside of southern France until hostilities resumed. Similar events occurred in Spain and Germany. By the time of the Treaty of Brétigny (1360), which brought about a several years suspension of the Hundred Years War, the bands had grown in size to the point where they had evolved an internal structure and adopted romantic names.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1137: 1137 Milestone — Mercenary groups first appeared in the 12th century, when they participated in the Anarchy (a conflict of succession between King Stephen and Empress Matilda between 1137 and 1153).
2. 1204: 1204 Milestone — However, in 1204, he did not pay the mercenaries.
3. 1342: 1342 Milestone — The free companies, or companies of adventure, have been cited as a factor as strong as plague or famine in the reduction of Siena from a glorious rival of Florence to a second-rate power during the later 14th century; Siena spent 291,379 florins between 1342 and 1399 buying off the free companies.
4. 1360: 1360 Milestone — By the time of the Treaty of Brétigny (1360), which brought about a several years suspension of the Hundred Years War, the bands had grown in size to the point where they had evolved an internal structure and adopted romantic names.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Free company

True or False: “The primary source of income for free companies, when not officially employed by a state, was through organized taxation and tribute.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Their main means of subsistence outside of paid employment was often plunder, leading to them being called routiers or écorcheurs.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Charles I of Hungary — Historical peer (Died in 1342) (1342): King of Hungary and Croatia, establishing the Anjou dynasty's power.
• Jadwiga of Poland — Historical peer (Died in 1399) (1399): Last hereditary ruler of Poland; Queen of Poland (1384-1399)
• John of Gaunt — Historical peer (Died in 1399) (1399): Influential English prince, statesman, and founder of the House of Lancaster.
• Lothair III, Holy Roman Emperor — Historical peer (Died in 1137) (1137): Holy Roman Emperor who reigned from 1133 to 1137, noted for his Saxon lineage.
• Louis VI of France — Historical peer (Died in 1137) (1137): King of the Franks, known for centralizing royal power and fighting 'robber barons'.
• Anna Komnene — Historical peer (Died in 1153) (1153): Byzantine princess and celebrated historian, author of the Alexiad.
• Bernard of Clairvaux — Historical peer (Died in 1153) (1153): Burgundian saint, mystic, and key reformer of the Cistercian Order.
• Eleanor of Aquitaine — Historical peer (Died in 1204) (1204): Powerful Duchess of Aquitaine and influential Queen of France and England.
• Fujiwara no Shunzei — Historical peer (Died in 1204) (1204): Master poet and court noble of the late Heian period, known for waka innovation.

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