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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tonguez" data-source="post: 432413" data-attributes="member: 1125">No Letters of Marque were used by the British Government (at least) to licence private mecenary ships to attack Spanish and/or Dutch shipping. For instance Sir Francis Drake was a Privateer operating under such a letter of Marque.The Privateer was licenced to raid foriegn shipping and take cargoes returning a portion of it to the Crown as payment. Sometimes if the Privateer was getting desperate they would turn to piracy themselves. One of the reasons Bucanners thrived in the Caribbean for so long was because the British colonies supported their attacks on Spanish settlements and ships.Generally too Medieval armies were not contiguous units but were instead distinct bands of Knights, men-at-arms and foot soldiers lead by their particular Lord. Each Lord was technically independent however as most were close relatives of the King and held position by his favour they were generally loyal.The point though is that each Lord was free to break away and return to the north if they so chose.Mecenaries in such a setting are those not attached to a Lord but instead able to be hired by anyone willing to pay.</blockquote>