中世纪晚期意大利境内的雇佣兵

Mercenaries in Late Medieval Italy

经济上的相对富庶、政治上的四分五裂、重装骑兵主导的作战方式、市民阶级对贵族的排挤和各邦国内部的党派纷争等因素,使中世纪晚期意大利成为雇佣兵的天堂。14世纪下半叶意大利战场上的雇佣兵主要来源于自由军团,而15世纪则可以说是康多提艾里的时代。康多提艾里大部分出身于贵族,家族领地为他们提供了招募士兵的基地,家族成员在部队管理中也发挥着重要作用。康多提艾里与追随他的雇佣兵之间的关系具有效忠、经济和师徒等多重属性。

Italy became a paradise for mercenaries in the late Middle Ages due to its prosperous economy,the disunited political entities,the dominance of men-at-arms in war,the supplanting of nobility by the middle class,and the internal dissension within the states.In the second half of the fourteenth century,most mercenaries in Italy came from free companies.Nevertheless,the fifteenth century may be called the era of condottiere.Most condottieri came from noble families whose domains could serve as bases to recruit soldiers.The soldiers’ family members could be helpful in the management of their companies.The multiple relationships between condottieri and their followers included personal loyalty,economic ties and apprenticeship.