The Business of War in the Early Modern Baltic Sea Region, 1530–1765

Overview & Synopsis

The business of war—meaning the commercial supply, financing, and organisation of soldiers and materiel for armies and navies—was one of the leading economic sectors in early modern Europe. During this turbulent period, civil unrest and wars were the norm rather than the exception. Changes in the practice of war brought along an increasing demand for manpower, expensive new technologies, and new forms of administrative competence. Many potentates turned to the private market for the necessary military resources. While some of these could be acquired locally, the bulk were obtained through transnational networks of merchants and military entrepreneurs, making this a pan-European and even global endeavour. The Business of War in the Early Modern Baltic Sea Region, 1530–1765 explores the development of the fiscal-military networks and military markets over three centuries. Despite growing interest towards the early modern business of war, the research field remains scattered. Recent scholarship has highlighted the significance of this business and public-private cooperation in the Mediterranean and Central-Western Europe, yet the North has been largely overlooked. This volume offers a holistic overview of the business of war in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea region. The aims of this volume are threefold. Firstly, it explores the particular features and realities of the business of war in the Baltic Sea region, where fiscal-military operations were characterised by long distances, difficult terrain, lack of infrastructure, and a low degree of urbanisation. Secondly, the volume offers a broader view of resources provided by private military suppliers. Beyond manpower and materiel, it examines funding, financial services, and crucial intangible assets, such as knowledge, expertise, and social capital. Finally, the book analyses the agency of the private suppliers themselves. By focusing on individuals rather than institutions, this volume offers a fresh perspective highlighting the motivations and operational logic of the people and groups involved in a way that macro-level studies cannot do. Together, the chapters portray the complexity and diversity of the early modern business of war.