A military contractor, generally known in the early modern period by the French term entrepreneur, was in the strict sense a private entrepreneur (or a capital company) whose business was to obtain and/or produce foodstuffs, weaponry, and equipment for a (standing) army (Military). However, the term entrepreneurs was also used in the 17th and 18th century to refer to contractors involved on behalf of territorial rulers or municipalities in fortification [1] and (especially in France from the early 18th century) the construction of barracks.

Certain towns and regions by the…