So let's say I'm a peasant of some sort in 1400's (or whenever really) Europe and I decide I want to be a mercanary. How attainable is this for me? Assuming I have money can I just buy weapons and sign on to a mercanary group? Was there some sort of screening process? Were mercanaries a family occupation like farming? Were there legal barriers; government certifications and the like? Obviously the likelyhood of becoming one depends alot on the demand for violence at the time (i.e. ongoing wars) so let's say there's a major war going on.