Warfare: 1500-1700

Question 1

Weapons: 1500-1700

Answer 1

.Guns replacing longbows & crossbows between 1510s to 1595.

.Muskets

Flintlock introduced slowly from 1610, adopted as a whole in the army by 1695).

•Artillery (Cannon more important in battles from 16305).

.Pistols

•Pikes 33% of infantry weapons in 1640s, defunct by 1705 (used in formation with muskets)

• Plug bayonet introduced in 1647. First issued to British troops in 1663.

All troops using socket bayonet by 1705.

.Swords

.Body Armour reduced to ‘back and breast’ by 1645 to increase mobility as they gave no protection against shot.

Question 2

Composition of Armies (number, type and tactics of combatants): 1500-1700

Answer 2

.Cavalry (33% of army)

.Increasingly armed with pistols, but with swords also.

• Dragoons (small proportion of the army, converted to cavalry by 1700).

Infantry the major proportion of the army (musketeers and pikemen in tandem until bayonet). By 16405, 66% of infantry were armed with guns.

.Even higher by 1700.

• Artillery (few, growing in number).

• Permanent army from 1660.

Question 3

Recruitment and Training of Combatants: 1500-1700

Answer 3

.1500 = England raised an army when it was at war.

.1700 = soldiers were professional & full-time.

.Cavalry from social elites.

.Infantry: Commissions of Array and conscription in Civil Wars

• New Model Army from 1645- After 1660 permanent army, made up of professional paid soldiers.
Increased emphasis on drill training, particularly for infantry

•No more archers to be trained from 1595

Question 4

Experience of Civilians: 1500-1700

Answer 4

• Civillians Could be compelled to serve in armies.

. Provided shelter too troops

• Food requisitioned

• Taxes directly imposed to fund wars.

• Victims of raid and pillage, especially during Civil Wars.

• 3.6 of population casualties during Civil War (180,000).

• Received some news about wars through propaganda (printed news pamphlets).