Relationships between Townspeople and Garrison Soldiers Based on the Example of Central European Cities during the Thirty Years’ War

Abstract

The article broadly addresses the coexistence of urban populations and garrison soldiers in Central European cities during the Thirty Years’ War. It discusses the military burdens placed on cities (quartering and provisioning soldiers, posting guards, assisting with fortification work, etc.), as well as the conditions necessary for effective defense. It then turns particular attention to areas of conflict and military violence – an almost everyday occurrence at the time – including its most brutal forms (assault, murder, rape), as well as the mutual cooperation between city dwellers and soldiers.