Throwing grenades harks back to the Middle Ages, when flammable and explosive bombs were sometimes hurled at the enemy.
But the appearance of the grenadier as a specialized type of soldier dates to the late 17th century CE,
when the Spaniards and Austrians started to use them as siege assault troops.
The French king Louis XIV was the first institutionalize them in grenadier companies.
The grenades that they hurled were iron balls filled with gunpowder, lighted by a slow match.
These were heavy, so the tallest and strongest men were picked to become grenadiers.
Despite their strength, the heavy grenades limited the throwing range, so the men had to get quite close to the enemy in order to attack.
Lighting the fuse and throwing accurately and timely, while running the risk of being subjected to musket fire or a charge, required discipline and bravery.
This made the grenadiers soon acquire an elite status.
As side arms, grenadiers used fusils (light muskets) and curved swords
or sometimes axes.
Grenadiers were easily recognizable by their pointed caps.
Unlike the broads hats worn by the regular infantry, these did not get in the way of throwing.
These caps soon became elaborate status symbols.
Grenadiers were often grouped together in companies, which were attached to normal infantry battalions.
Sometimes these were themselves grouped into full grenadier battalions.
For a long time these units were drawn from regiments,
which were a source of pride and tradition for the soldiers.
In the early 18th century CE increased firepower of the normal infantry made hand-thrown grenades largely obsolete.
But the need for elite shock troops remained and grenadiers assumed that role.
Grenadier regiments lasted into World War II.
By that time grenades, grenade launchers and small anti-tank weapons had become standard equipment for normal infantry.
War Matrix - grenadiers
Age of Reason 1620 CE - 1750 CE, Armies and troops