What makes a mercenary?

[Tricon]

@Tricon: I think they couldn´t be seen as mercenaries. Were the Hessians part of the British Army? (the term "sold" suggests, that they are property of the English king ;) ) If so, then I´d say no because of letter (e) of the definition.

If they were in America as Hessian troops, then letter (f) of the defintion would apply. Alternatively Hessia could be considered a Party of the conflict (letter e), because they actively supported the Royalists.

"Leased" may be the better term than "sold". The hessians were part of the british forces, they did not fight for hessian interests, they had no choice to decline, and received little or no extra pay (though there are recorded instances that pillaging rights were granted.. but only to select companies).
Basically they were poor conscript bastards who were leased by their king to a foreign power, who chose to use them in a colonial war. It was not a war between Great Britain and Hessia (and some other countries. I remeber reading about some italian companies fighting on behalf of the british, but I'm not sure now...) agaist the colonies. It was just GB ... with foreign fghters.
Mercenary -in our modern sense of the word- doesn't really fit...

[Haudegen]

I agree with you. They were forced to military service by the Hessian state. Maybe the Hessian Mercenries are best seen in this way: they were allies of the Brits. The main difference is that back in these days it was adaequate to convince allies with money. While today alliances are formed because of common interests that are not directly equal to the payment of cash, like that one the Hessian king received.