Canteen — meaning of the word. Features of military wives and their significance
War is a very expensive undertaking. After all, a huge number of constantly fighting people need to be fed, bathed, washed and treated. And this is not to mention the fact that every army needs a convoy with food, necessary ammunition, clothing and other things.
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Therefore, not all rulers can afford to fight in this way, without providing their soldiers with everything they need. This is why such things as marketers appeared. Initially, these girls were simple assistants in the army and were supposed to provide all the household little things. However, later the scope of their services became much wider, and the title itself began to be considered honorary.
But why do many still attach such a derogatory connotation to this term? Because soldiers needed to relieve stress and meet their basic needs. That is why people began to confuse army assistants with simple prostitutes. By the way, the latter became a serious problem after some time, as they spread diseases.
Origin of the Noble War Companions
Translated from French, the word “marquis” means “merchant”. However, this is not a simple seller of various small items, standing in a certain place and offering his services, but a mobile seller, following the shelves. He could provide the minimum number of soldiers needed in battle and provide tobacco and smoking pipes. If we are talking about girls. Those who chose this difficult path for themselves appeared a little later, at first only in France.
Initially there were no honorary titles such as candidates. The army simply came to any region and took the most beautiful girls. Their duty was always to please the soldiers. Therefore, most of the girls who joined the regiments were prostitutes.
However, in only one case did the commander change such frivolous behavior. Philip Strazzi, who made a mistake and took too much of the available beauty, ordered all the extras to be drowned. Despite the cries and protests, about 800 girls were killed.
Later, when it became clear that recruiting women into thoughtless regiments was not a good idea, some women began to organize entire units under their own responsibility. Of course, they could still sleep with the soldiers, but from now on they moved into the category of respected and protected comrades. Moreover, many of these women married soldiers and remained faithful to them, considering the regiment their extended family.
What were these obedient maids doing? Everything that is not directly related to combat. They temporarily carried unnecessary luggage, organized tasty and satisfying snacks during breaks, washed and sewed, treated the sick and wounded, and performed minor duties assigned directly by the commander himself. Such duties must have frightened the girls, but there were many who wanted to join the regiment. What attracted enough young and mature women to such adventurous actions?
Wealth, power, dangerous love
First of all, it is the thirst for profit. Indeed, during the battles, the special unit of these girls freely and boldly stripped the corpses of everything valuable. This was not only prohibited, but also encouraged. Women in such units were known as vivawerki. They carried small flasks and bells containing water or wine so that friendly soldiers could quickly find them in the heat of battle. A little later, even an unspoken code was established that prohibited touching these girls during battle, and those for whom this rule was inevitable could be killed without proper procedure.
Another type of “military wives” is cantinella. They went straight into the thick of the fighting and did not stay in the rear. They also sold tobacco and wine, vodka and cared for the wounded. Well, after all the girl’s friendly brothers were killed, she happily sold their bodies to the soldiers and made a considerable profit.
This is another reason why the girls agreed to such a dubious job. Literally, because in five years of such worship many could return to the city, buy a big house, marry a nobleman and even become real secular women. The enterprising beauty did not want to miss such a tempting prospect.
But not everyone was so commercial. All this war romance was incredibly attractive, and there were many girls who promised to find personal happiness. Yes, there were cases when some girl found her soul mate among the soldiers. Or shared his fate on the battlefield. It was thanks to such cases that women in the army were treated with special fear, because in cruel times men needed support and attention from the weaker sex more than ever.
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Distinctive features of the “regimental girls”
Of course, war is not a place where people think particularly about their external beauty. However, many admit that girls accompanying the army can look very colorful and attractive. Military and feminine styles were mixed in their depiction, which allowed soldiers to accurately judge the kind of women standing in front of them.
This was due to the fact that many young women, thanks to the permission of their commanders, wore the same uniform as the soldiers in their regiments. Girls were allowed to complement their curves with short fluffy skirts, aprons and beautiful hats on their heads. Despite the hostilities, each girl tried to look special and emphasized her femininity.
Many imagined the regiment”s assistants as very seductive and attractive girls. However, the reality remained grim. In most cases, these were already more mature women, not the most beautiful in appearance, but incredibly strong and resilient. Young girls were also present, but there were fewer of them, but in most cases they were the daughters of previous sutlers.
The other side of the coin
Historically, the sutler has firmly taken root and is now a designation for selfless women who exchanged a serene life for military romance. Without their help, the army had a hard time. This is due to the fact that not all soldiers want to have their own clothes or can cook their own food.
And this is not to mention the psychological discomfort some warriors previously experienced without sororities. It is difficult to overestimate the role of such satellites during a real war, but remember that good can be used skillfully.
With so many girls enlisting as soldiers every day, it is not surprising that sexually transmitted infections were common among the population. By the way, statistics show that they killed more people than bloody battles. And so many enemies enjoyed the fact that they could not resist the opportunity to quickly let off steam and have a little fun.
They sent seriously ill girls to enemy camps to infect as many people as possible. The commanders of the organization were given preference, since the enemy dreamed of destroying them. It is not surprising that the position of an inspector soon appeared who examined unfamiliar girls for unfamiliar diseases. Although such diseases in women develop more slowly and are often unnoticeable in the early stages, helping them little.
Military stratagem
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Seeing unarmed women in danger. In order not to lose face, such warriors specially became attached to the girl, constantly recovering and fighting with her so as not to lower their weapons.
Another fear that haunted the warriors was the mistreatment of women. Indeed, according to the law, the victors could seize any cant and do with it whatever they pleased. Basically, everything was limited to numerous forms of sexual violence that were rarely encountered. Therefore, I had to bite the bullet and even be the last one to defend the line in defense of the honor and dignity of women.
Another duty of the girls who chose the difficult fate of military assistants is to bring soldiers back to life on the battlefield. They provide minimal medical assistance, get them out of “hot spots,” encourage and distribute food.
In most cases, the soldiers asked for canteens of vodka or wine. Those who were not injured helped them forget the fear for their lives. Then the wounded were distracted from the pain, which often prevented the girls from providing assistance. This is why the unusual feature of distributing strong alcohol between battles was so important.
Famous army assistants
Initially, it was assumed that girls accompanying the army should not take up arms. Their duty was different and more important than the war itself. After all, even in difficult times, they were willing to risk their lives for their lives to be risked. Then there were situations where women still had to put aside their prejudices and rush straight into the thick of the fighting.
One of those best remembered was Markitant Ruth. Colonel Eichholtz and his troops were attacked by the Swiss. The Swiss unexpectedly confused the enemy and attacked. The Germans began to retreat, many abandoned the wounded, devoured the carts and left, fleeing, fearing for their lives. Under the circumstances, it soon became clear that the Germans would eventually have to retreat or surrender.
Then a detachment of candidates, led by their sheikh, rushed to pick up fallen weapons, seize flags and defend their regiments. In an unprecedented turn of events, even the standard bearers who had also decided to leave the battlefield rushed to support them. After the colonel himself disappeared, he exclaimed that he would rather command a detachment of prostitutes than these cowards. Such “calm” speeches restored courage to the Germans and encouraged them to fight back. Eichholz won.
The most amusing things were the honors that the soldiers paid to the fallen and wounded in the mess hall. The dead were buried as outstanding warriors, and the wounded Ruth was given a whole bunch of gold, thanks to the fact that the situation had turned around.
This was a direct order from the colonel himself, who appreciated the girl’s selfless and selfless act. She shared her wealth with her comrades in arms. Later she retired, forgot her hard military life, became a noblewoman and even acquired her own coat of arms.
The incredible strength of weak creatures
Wartime is a turbulent period that brings only destruction, loss and disappointment. Men in this element seem more organic than the fairer sex. However, this did not stop many women from leaving their comfortable homes and following the army to war to provide the soldiers with the necessary living conditions.
This was a huge task that the wife of each regiment performed consciously and of her own free will, which made her especially valuable in the eyes of each soldier. Undoubtedly, such regimental assistants also had negative qualities. But this does not detract from the fact that even a weak and fragile woman can become a powerful armed force; not all men are ready to show courage and bravery.
