“Momma…Where do Landsknechts come from?”

[hsifeng]

Over the years, I have heard a number of creation stories for the originals of that mysterious creature, the US Landsknecht. As I started reenacting 16^th C German in the Ren Faire scene, and in California, I have the specific idea that this group of young scallywags are to blame for all things “Germanified”, at least on the West Coast.

 

 

This photo was taken at  RPFN (Old Northern CA Ren Faire, in Novato) in 1979. Apparently before there were "German Guilds". It features Dave Godwin, Salvatore Bruno, Carl Ontis, and Gordon Frye.

 

So my question is this, to those abroad or in other parts of the USA; to those in the SCA or other reenactment communities: Are they the first?

 

I am seeking the roots of our little sub-culture. I am constantly amazed at both the things that the original founders got *so* right, and the things they helped instate as “fact” that have later been proven to be “fiction”.

 

Tell me what you know.