Gallowglass
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The Gallowglass were a class of elite mercenary warriors who were principally members of the Norse-Gaelic clans of Ireland and Scotland between the mid 13th century and late 16th century. It originally applied to Scots, who shared a common background and language with the Irish, but as they were descendants of 10th-century Norse settlers who had intermarried with the local population in western Scotland, the Irish called them Gall Gaeil.
Fifteenth-century sculpted figures of Gallowglass as depicted upon the apparent effigy of Feidhlimidh Ó Conchobhair, King of Connacht and father of Áed na nGall, victor of the Battle of Connacht.
Irish gallowglass and kern. Drawing by Albrecht Dürer, 1521. This is now thought to have been derived from a 1518 written account by Laurent Vital, rather than a drawing from life.
Mercenary
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A mercenary, also called a merc, soldier of fortune, or hired gun, is a private individual who joins an armed conflict for personal profit, is otherwise an outsider to the conflict, and is not a member of any other official military. Mercenaries fight for money or other forms of payment rather than for political interests.
Leonardo da Vinci's Profilo di capitano antico, also known as il Condottiero, 1480. Condottiero meant "leader of mercenaries" in Italy during the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
Private military contractor in Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, 2006
Alabaster-bas relief, non-Assyrian mercenaries in the Assyrian army. From the South-West Palace, Nineveh. 7th century BC
Chigi vase with Hoplites holding javelins and spears