Tross

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Throughout military history nearly every military Regiment in all cultures had a Tross, or "unit train". My input on this subject focuses on the Tross which followed the mercenary soldiers of the German Landsknecht.

The Tross were the support staff members (camp followers) of the Landsknechte mercenary soldiers who's ranks originated in the late 1400's. Members of the Tross were made up of woman, children and some of the men.

As mentioned above, the term support staff is used to give the German word 'Tross' a clearer meaning. However, its true English to German translation is 'Unit train' or 'Baggage train'.

Each Landsknechte unit traveled with a Tross unit. The Tross followed behind the Landsknecht unit. They carried the military and fighting necessities, the food and the belongings of each Soldat (German for soldier) and his family.

The Tross unit was made up primarily of woman. The women were wives of the Soldat, or other family members such as sisters or sisters-in-law, nieces, Daughters, etc. Some of the women were betrothed to a member of the military unit. Very few single, unattached women were permitted into the ranks of the Tross in fear that they would prostitute themselves into the married men of the military unit. Unattached women allowed into the Tross were those who possessed an honorable skill or trade which made them a valuable asset not only to the Tross unit but to the military unit as well. However, they were closely watched until they took a legitimate mate.