If I understand the consensus correctly, then my question is almost without meaning. Any soldier who received pay could be considered a mercinary. Well, by that reasoning, even a feudal levy could be considered mercinary, because the noble who raised the force for his king was paid with a land grant. Admittedly, that would be stretching the meaning of the term mercinary almost to the breaking point.

Okay, I guess that means its pretty much up to me how I want to answer my own question. I'll read the unit cards when I have time, like Lars suggested, and make my own judgement call.