Medival Era -> Early Modern Period

Question 1

What weapons were used in the Medieval Period ?

How did they stay the same and change into the Early Modern Period ?

Answer 1

Medieval period:
-Cavalrymen fought on horseback with lances and spears
-Infantrymen used: swords, daggers, axes, halberds, pikes and some had bows / crossbows. Chainmail used for protection
Continuity 1250-1500:
-Weapons used in melee combat stay the same
-Artillery still not widely used despite development due to their lack of reliability and were hard to transport
Change 1250-1500:
-Schiltrons used to repel cavalry charges (E.g. battle of Falkirk)
-Longbows, more powerful, higher rate of fire and range (E.g. battle of Agincourt were French outnumbered English 5-1)
-Plate armour used but not effective against longbow

Question 2

What tactics and strategies were used in the Medieval Period ?
How did they stay the same and change into the Early Modern Period ?

Answer 2

Medieval period: (Limited Warfare)
-Castles and fortified towns were essential parts of strategy
-Cavalry charges, route and chase
-Infantry, shield walls, archers and melee
Continuity 1250-1500:
-Limited warfare
-Capturing and building castles
-Cavalry charges and melee still key tactics
Change 1250-1500:
-Schiltrons used as defence, increase power of infantry and decline of the mounted knight
-Archers now travelled on horseback and used effectively
-Defence focused on flanks to weaken charges
-Cavalry was no longer elite strike force, became socially different and a more flexible force

Question 3

What was the composition of armies like in the Medieval Period ?
How did it stay the same and change into the Early Modern Period ?

Answer 3

Medieval period:
-5,000–10,000 men
-Infantry (common men) and Cavalry (nobility)
-Command given to social elites
Continuity 1250-1500:
-Size of armies stayed similar (E.g. Battle of Lewes (1264) 10,000 > Battle of Bosworth (1485) 12,000
-Command of army still connected to social status
Change 1250-1500:
-Ratio of infantry to cavalry went from 2:1 to 3:1, Number of cavalry less than 1500
-Feudal system declined, less nobility in cavalry

Question 4

What was recruitment like in the Medieval Period ?

How did it stay the same and change into the Early Modern Period ?

Answer 4

Medieval Period:
-Feudal System, 40 day summon by the king were vassals were rewarded with land in return for service
-Assize of Arms, form of taxation were wealthy men had to provide military support to the king either by donating money or equipment instead of military service
Continuity 1250-1500:
-Feudal System used up to 1350
-Assize of Arms still used in 1500
-Mercenaries still used
Change 1250-1500:
-Feudal system breaks down, by 1400’s most knights went on indentures, military service for payment
-Assize of Arms became unreliable
-Payment of troops became common after the 1300’s

Question 5

What was training like in the Medieval Period ?

How did it stay the same and change into the Early Modern Period ?

Answer 5

Medieval Period:
-No permanent army size nor barracks so little training
-Most young men in cavalry had skills in military and horsemanship
-Some competed in tournaments
Continuity 1250-1500:
-Remained simple
-Knights still practiced in tournaments
Change 1250-1500:
-Paid troops were typically better
-Law introduced that males over the age of 14 are to practice for 2 hours with a longbow every week whilst supervised by clergy

Question 6

What were provisions used in the Medieval Period ?

How did they stay the same and change into the Early Modern Period ?

Answer 6

Medieval Period:
-Men expected to bring their own provisions for 40 days
-Baggage trains sometimes followed army or supply depots deposited ahed of time
Continuity 1250-1500:
-Baggage trains still used
-Soldiers often demanded supplies of locals
Change 1250-1500:
-Provisions became more important as there were more wars and more equipment used
-Royal armoury based in the Tower of London that provided arrows etc
-Purveyance introduced to set up fair prices for supplies

Question 7

What was the experience of civilians like in the Medieval Period ?
How did it stay the same and change into the Early Modern Period ?

Answer 7

Medieval period:
-In home territory troops may pay civilians for supplies but opposing armies may just raid and plunder the villages for supplies
-Demand for supplies helped industries and citizens benefited from good wages, also good wages could have been earned from joining the army
Continuity 1250-1500:
-Plunder still a problem
-Feudal system (up to 1300’s) and Requisitioning often impacted civilians
-Sieges of fortified towns continued to impact civilians living within them
Change 1250-1500:
-Taxation began to impact civilians more
-Increase in wars made the aforementioned impacts (raids, taxes etc) have a greater impact on civilians