> The english soldiers fighting in the independence war against the americans, were partially germans, sold by in debted aristoctrats. https://en.wikipedia.org/

> The english soldiers fighting in the independence war against the americans, were partially germans, sold by in debted aristoctrats. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junker_(Prussia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junker_(Prussia) What do Junkers in Prussia have to do with the Hessian mercenaries who fought in the war of independence? It was Frederick II who leased the army of Hesse-Kassel to the British. He was not some random indebted aristocrat but rather the ruler of a sovereign state. The soldiers were 'professionals' who volunteered and were paid a salary. Not (as you make it sound) random peasants conscripts sold off to pay of some debts. > This was the reality on the ground, even up until the 2nd worldwar. > The only escape for the peasants and althose 2nd,3rd sons who were bound to the land, was to go on pilgrimages Yes. The only escape for peasants in the 1800's to 1930s was to go on pilgrimages. In any case middle or upperclass people were more likely to go on pilgrimages than peasants (proportionally) even during the middle ages. Any long journey was prohibitively expensive for most people to afford. > The crusader knights surely promised the conquered lands to peasants who would follow them Generally crusader knights, especially the nobles were not too keen about taking thousands of untrained peasants who have to be fed and supplied with other provisions by someone on Crusades without providing anything in return. Generally various unorthodox/anti-establishment religious preachers like (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_the_Hermit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_the_Hermit) were the instigators of most 'popular' crusades. They were ussually opposed by the nobility, the clergy and the bourgeoisie. For instance Shepherds Crusades of 1251 and 1320.