A Defence of the Hessians

The essay defends the reputation of Hessian princes and their troops who served with Britain in overseas conflict, arguing they acted as longstanding regional allies rather than merchants selling soldiers. It traces the political and military background of Hesse, the financial strains after earlier wars, the Elector’s personal religious choices and limited domestic impact, parliamentary debates over unpaid subsidies from Britain, and the practical motives behind deploying troops abroad. It also situates contemporary German opinion on American independence and counters accusations that the mercenary label fully captures the complexities of alliance, finance, and sovereignty.