Medieval Warfare Flashcards
What are the four factors of change?
Composition of armies (numbers, type, roles)
Experience of warfare
Recruitment and training
Experience of civilians
Name 3 weapons
Longbow
Crossbow
Swords
Name a disadvantage of the cross bow
Needs a Cranequin to draw back
Name an advantage of the longbow
Useful at long range
How far can the longbow fire?
350 metres
How did swords change over time? Why?
They got thinner because gaps in chain mail armour got smaller
What was the longbow law?
Every man in Britain had to practice the longbow every Sunday
Which king brought in the longbow law?
King Edward III
What was the percentage of change in infantry at the beginning and end of the period?
75% - 90%
What happened to the cavalry throughout the period?
Decline of the mounted knight. The amount of cavalry in an army lessened
What was the Schiltron?
A schiltron is a compact body of troops forming a wall of spikes.
Who originated the Schiltron?
William Wallace
What was the Schiltron effective against?
Cavalry charges
What was the recruitment method at the start of the period?
Feudal summons
What was another method at the start of the period?
General Summons
How long did feudal summons require a knight to stay?
40 days
What was the recruiting method at the end of the period?
Indentures
What was an indenture?
A binding contract between the king and a knight requiring them to fight
What was the assize of arms?
Required all men to serve the king for 40 days with their own weapons at short notice.
What happened to taxes during the period?
Doubled
What is scutage?
Paying not to fight
What were a couple of benefits of fighting?
Could benefit from good wages and share ransom money or booty
What could’ve happened to people homes not involved in the war?
Plundered
What is plundering?
Stealing
