Early Modern Warfare Flashcards
Weapons Situation in 1500
- Pikes used differently (Schiltrons)
- Longbows became more dominant (more power, higher rate of fire and further range)
- Plated Armour replaced chainmail
- Cannon developed useful in seiges
- Fire arms developed
Weapons Continuity 1500-1750
- Pikes still used extensively in 1500s
- Longbows still used in early 1500s
- Plate Armour still used in 1500s
Weapon Change 1500-1750
- Artillery used more as lighter, easier to transport and cannons were more reliable by 1750
- 1500s English copied Swiss Pikemen (Armoured)
-1500s Infantry mixture of pikemen and musketeers
-Hackbut replaced by matchlock musket. Flintlock muskry replaced by matchlock by 1700 - Longbows to Muskets (less farms to practice archery)
- Cavalry armed with swords and pistols
- Armour abandoned by 1700
- Muskets had bayonets attached
Tactics and Strategy Situation in 1500
- New uses of Pikes increased power of the infantry and decline in mounted knight
- Archers effective on defence as placed on flanks to weaken enemy charges
- Cavalrry used as a more integrated part of army
Tactics and Strategy Continuity in 1500-1750
- Cavalry and Infantry combination used
Tactics and Strategy Change in 1500-1750
- From 1530s New fortifications were built to withstand cannon fire
- Development of infantry tactics using Musketeers and pikemen together
- Muskeets at first in linr in front of pikesmrn but if attacked they would use the pikesmen as a defensive barrier from cavalry
- From 1540s Cavalry were used to ride close to enemy and fire pistols. From 1640s, they were used as ‘shock troops’ again
Composition and Command of Armies Situation 1500
- Less reliance on Cavalry (Long bows, Schiltrons)
- Number of cavalry less by 1500 now 3:1
- Feudal system declined, less cavalry were from nobility
Composition and Command of Armies Continuity 1500-1750
- Armies mix of cavalry, infantry and artillery
- Most generals were still from higher classes, particualarly on Royalist side during the civil War.
Composition and Command of Armies Change 1500-1750
- Officers in New Model Army given positions on merit not social class
- Most generals wanted 2:1 (Infantry:Cavalry) this didn’t always happen
Recruitment Situation 1500
- Breakdown of feudal system
- Assize of arms not reliable
- Payment of troops more common
- More Soldiers within Royal Household
Recruitment Change 1500-1750
- Militia system (non-professional soldiers who can be called upon in time of need)
- Militia system organised by Lord Lieutenants
Recruitment Change 1500-1750
- Became appartent system wasnt effective
- More men ‘pressed’ or forced to serve as the period went on
Training Situation 1500
- Kings insisted on Archery targets and practice in towns
- Paid troops tended to be better trained
Training Continuity in 1500-1750
- Poor Standard of trainin continued
Training Change 1500
- Threat of Spanish invasion in 1580s lead to change - Muster Masters ran training. Gentlemen didn’t like taking orders from ‘lower’ classes
- Training improved NMA - Paid regularly, trained by successful soldiers
- NMA continued to stand
Provisions Situation 1500
- More wars so More horses, needed more fodder, More weapons
- Royal Armoury provided arrows
- Baggage trains carried supplies
- ‘Purveyance’ introduced to give fair price for supplies
Provisions Continuity 1500-1750
- Requisitioning of goods and services remained essential
- Plunder of goods still common
- Baggage trains still used
Provisions Change 1500-1750
- Free Quarter – armies would force communities to feed and house troops and would leave a signed receipt – almost never paid but the NMA normally did
Experience of civilians Situation 1500
- Cost of war impacted civilans (tax)
- Raids created fear and panic among civilians
- Civilians joined army for good wages
- Demand fof wartime goods helped industries and citizens
Experience of civilians Continutity 1500
- Taxes continued to rise in times of war
- Fear of plunder remained constand
- Men Forced to join armies
Experience of civilians Change 1500-1750
- Civil War had impact on English civilians amount of fighting on home soil
- More damage done to crops/houses during civil war.