Warfare in 1250 Flashcards
(21 cards)
Range of size of armies
5000-10000 men
2 parts of armies
Infantry and cavalry
Ration of infantry to cavalry
2:1
What formed 30% of the cavalry
The upper nobility
What made up the rest of cavalry
Lower nobility and men at arms (men bought to a battle by nobles typically gentry)
How was command of armies decided
Social position
What would cavalrymen be armed with
Lances, spears and swords
What was infantry armed with
Swords, daggers, brown bills (poles with broad blades), bows and crossbows
Protection
Cavalry - Hauberks (chainmail garments)
Infantry - Gambesons (leather jackets)
2 key tactics in warfare
Limited warfare and castes
Other key tactics
Positioning of armies (on a hill and protect flanks)
Cavalry - Mounted charge and rout and chase
Infantry - Sheild wall, archers and melee
Recruitment of cavalry
Feudal system
Assize of arms
Mercenaries and scutage
Royal Household
What was the feudal system
King granted his most powerful supporters land, then he granted control of some lower nobles and then they promised military support
How many Feudal knights could the king call up on at one time
5000
What was the assize of arms
This assessed people’s wealth to see if they should support the king. It was a bit like taxation: the wealthier people were, the more military support they should give.
What did the king accept from people instead of military service
Scutage
How much did a captain of mercenaries charge per day
2 shillings
How much royal household troops earn a year
£5
Recruitment of infantry
Feudal infantry
Assize of arms
Training
Infantry - No organised training
Cavalry - Young men were trained
Provisioning
Men bought their own provision
Baggage trains full of wagons followed the army
