The Landsknecht, (pronounced [ˈlantsknɛçt]), plural: Landsknechte, were mercenary soldiers who became an important military force through late 15th- and 16th-century Europe. Consisting predominantly of German mercenary pikemen and supporting foot soldiers, they were the universal mercenaries of early modern Europe, sometimes fighting on both sides of a conflict. Several thousands of landsknechte were in permanent service for Austria between 1486 and 1560, forming the bulk of the Imperial Army (Holy Roman Empire).