Experience of warfare Early Modern Period 1500-1700

Question 1

Recruitment in the beginning of the period (1500) (2)

Answer 1

• Change in society (e.g breakdown in feudal system)meant that recruitment changed from medieval period
• Assize of Arms not very reliable

Question 2

Continuity of Recruitment throughout the period (1500-1700)

Answer 2

Militia system used in Tudor period (non professional soldiers who can be called upon in time of need) - organised by Lord Lieutenants, with general musters every couple of years

Question 3

Change of Recruitment in the period (1500-1700) (2)

Answer 3

• Soon became apparent that the militia system wasn’t effective
• More men ‘pressed’ or forced to serve as the period went on

Question 4

Training in the beginning of the period (1500) (2)

Answer 4

• Kings insisted on archery targets and practise in towns
• Paid troops tended to be better trained - as the king was paying directly for them for inspections of weapons and equipment becoming more common

Question 5

Continuity of training throughout the period (1500-1700)

Answer 5

• Early 1500s - little in the way of official training

* Poor standard of training continued through Tudor Period

Question 6

Change of training in the period (1500-1700) (3)

Answer 6

• Threat of Spanish invasion in 1580s lead to change - professional soldier called Muster masters ran training. Not that effective as many gentlemen didn’t like taking orders from ‘lower’ classes
• Training improved in Civil Wars with the New Model Army - was paid regularly, trained by successful soldiers
• New Model Army also continued to stand even after the war finished (1651-8) and played more of a role in politics than any army beforehand

Question 7

Provisions in the beginning of the period (1500) (3)

Answer 7

• There were more wars - Armies used more horses so needed more fodder. Also more weapons (e.g men needed to be supplied with arrows)
• Royal Armoury based in Tower of London provided arrows etc
• Baggage trains carried soldier’s supplies

Question 8

Continuity of provisions throughout the period (1500) (3)

Answer 8

• Requisitioning of goods and services by armies remained essential part of war
• Plunder of goods still common
• Baggage trains continued to be used

Question 9

Change of provisions in the period (1500-1700)

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Experience of civilians in the beginning of the period (1500) (4)

Answer 10

• Cost of war impacted on civilians more (tax)
• Raids that created fear and panic amongst civilians. Vulnerable to plundering armies
• Civilians joining the army could get good wages
• Demand for wartime goods (weapons, armour, clothing) helped industries and citizens benefitted from good, secure wages

Question 11

Continuity of experience of civilians throughout the period (1500-1700) (3)

Answer 11

• Taxes continued to rise in times of war
• Fear of plunder remained a constant
• Men still forced to join armies

Question 12

Change of experience of civilians in the period (1500-1700) (2)

Answer 12

• Civil war had a big influence on English civilians amount of fighting on home soil
• More damage done to crops/housing during Civil War (about 55,000 made homeless)