Fähnlein
Encyclopedia
The Fähnlein was a military unit approximately equivalent to the company
or battalion
which was used in parts of Europe
during the Middle Ages
. The Fähnlein, meaning "small banner", consisted of foot soldiers
that were organized under a single banner
, hence the unit's name. The size of the unit varied, originally a Fähnlein could consist of as many as 1,000 soldiers, but numbers were generally less, around 500. In the 17th century, some Fähnleins or fänikor would have only 100 to 200 men, and it was at this time that the designation company came into widespread use.
In Germany, the Landsknecht
s were organized in Fähnleins, which were then organized into regiment
s. Approximately the same organization was used in Sweden
, where each province
raised a number of fänikor, which were organized into a provincial regiment. Many of the regiments of the Swedish Army
of today traces their origins back to the fänikor of the 16th century. The Fähnlein was led by a Hauptmann
and the fänika was led by a Kapten
, both equivalents of a Captain.
The military rank
of Fähnrich
(Germany) or Fänrik
(Sweden) was held by the low ranking officer
who carried the banner (German
Fahne, Swedish
Fana) of the Fähnlein or fänika. The Spanish army has a similar formation called a Bandera (flag, banner).
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
or battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
which was used in parts of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
during the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. The Fähnlein, meaning "small banner", consisted of foot soldiers
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
that were organized under a single banner
Banner
A banner is a flag or other piece of cloth bearing a symbol, logo, slogan or other message. Banner-making is an ancient craft.The word derives from late Latin bandum, a cloth out of which a flag is made...
, hence the unit's name. The size of the unit varied, originally a Fähnlein could consist of as many as 1,000 soldiers, but numbers were generally less, around 500. In the 17th century, some Fähnleins or fänikor would have only 100 to 200 men, and it was at this time that the designation company came into widespread use.
In Germany, the Landsknecht
Landsknecht
Landsknechte were European, predominantly German mercenary pikemen and supporting foot soldiers from the late 15th to the late 16th century, and achieved the reputation for being the universal mercenary of Early modern Europe.-Etymology:The term is from German, Land "land, country" + Knecht...
s were organized in Fähnleins, which were then organized into regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
s. Approximately the same organization was used in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, where each province
Provinces of Sweden
The provinces of Sweden, landskap, are historical, geographical and cultural regions. Sweden has 25 provinces and they have no administrative function, but remain historical legacies and the means of cultural identification....
raised a number of fänikor, which were organized into a provincial regiment. Many of the regiments of the Swedish Army
Swedish Army
The Swedish Army is one of the oldest standing armies in the world and a branch of the Swedish Armed Forces; it is in charge of land operations. General Sverker Göranson is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Army.- Organization :...
of today traces their origins back to the fänikor of the 16th century. The Fähnlein was led by a Hauptmann
Hauptmann
Hauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
and the fänika was led by a Kapten
Kapten
Finnish Defence Forces rank of Kapteeni is comparable to Ranks of NATO armies officers as OF-2.-Origin:The basic military unit during the Middle Ages was the company raised by a vassal lord on behalf of his lord usually the King. The lord was commissioned by the king as Kapten to lead the unit...
, both equivalents of a Captain.
The military rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
of Fähnrich
Fähnrich
Fähnrich is a German and Austrian military rank in armed forces which translates as "Ensign" in English. The rank also exists in a few other European military organizations, often with historical ties to the German system. Examples are Sweden, Norway and Finland . The French Army has a similar...
(Germany) or Fänrik
Fänrik
-Professional officer:A minimum of 11 months of basic military training or 6 months as an aspirant followed by a three year programme at an officer school . - Conscript officer :...
(Sweden) was held by the low ranking officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
who carried the banner (German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
Fahne, Swedish
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
Fana) of the Fähnlein or fänika. The Spanish army has a similar formation called a Bandera (flag, banner).