How far did the composition of the English armies change between 1250 and 1500?

Learning objective – to be able to identify changes and continuities in the composition of English Medieval armies. I can describe the key changes and continuities in the composition of English Medieval armies. Grade 3 I can explain the key changes and continuities in the composition of English Medieval armies. Grade 6 I can explain and assess changes and continuities in the composition of English Medieval armies. Grade 9

Did the size of England’s armies change during the medieval period? Evidence suggests that the size of the various English armies did not change significantly during the Medieval period. For example, the English armies at the Battles of Lewes [1264], Agincourt [1415] and Bosworth [1485] ranged from 8,000 to 12,000 soldiers. Numbers changed only because there was no permanent English army. Armies were summoned from the population when required. Therefore, numbers depended on the success of recruitment as well as the nature of the threat posed at the time.

How significant was the infantry during the medieval period? Infantry made up by far the largest component of the army – usually between 75 and 90%. Infantry tended to be peasants who fought on foot. Bottom of the social structure, they were treated poorly and had basic equipment. On the battlefield, the infantry’s job was to hold the enemy attack as part of a shield wall and defeat the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.

How did infantry change during the medieval period? The introduction of the longbow changed the nature of infantry. Beforehand, at battles such as Falkirk, infantry were untrained and armed with basic weapons. By the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the majority of infantry were skilled archers and were now used differently on the battlefield. Now archers were used in large numbers, placed on the flanks in a battlefield formation and used as the initial attack. This increased the importance of infantry.

Who were mounted knights? Mounted knights came from the gentry and nobility. The fought on horseback and had greater social status than other soldiers. They were armed with lances and swords and protected by armour and chainmail. All this and the horse, was paid for by the knights themselves. On the battlefield, the mounted knight would charge the enemy lines and rout and chase the enemy after the charge.

Why did the mounted knight decline in the Medieval period? In battle, the 14th century the growing emphasis of the longbow led to knights being dismounted and used in the centre of a battleline flanked by archers. This was because the mounted knight was vulnerable not only to arrows, but also cannon and shiltrons. The development of plate armour gave knights better protection to fight in hand-to-hand combat. This also fitted in the idea of chivalry behaviour. Using knights in this way strengthened an army’s defensive position. Mounted knights were still used in specialist roles, for example they were used in small packs to raid farmland and villages to destroy enemy territory and resources. These troops were known as chevauchèes.

What was the chain of command in the Medieval English armies? The feudal system organised society into groups based on land and people’s roles. Land was granted in return for services, such as fighting when needed. This structure had a direct consequence on army command as armies were commanded by those in socially superior positions rather than ability. However, in the later medieval period, the feudal system began to break down and this led to it becoming more difficult to persuade people to fight. This led to more mercenaries being hired

Organise the following statements under the following headings – Infantry and Mounted Knights. Job was to hold the enemy in the shield wall and fight in a melee [hand-to-hand combat] They became specialist soldiers, like chevauchèes, who destroyed enemy territory. This group became more skilled with the use of the longbow. Shiltrons and longbows made them vulnerable and they moved to be on foot in the centre of the battlefield. Tended to come from the lower reaches of society. Development of plate armour allowed for them to fight effectively in hand-to- hand combat. Largely fought on foot throughout the Medieval period. Job was to charge and scatter the enemy and then rout them. Became used far more in the Medieval period. Made up the largest group in the army, accounting for 75% or more of the total soldiers. Tended to come from the upper reaches of society – nobility and gentry. Well protected with armour, chainmail and effective weapons like lances and swords.

Follow up Tasks Write a paragraph on how science and technology and changing tactics transformed both infantry and mounted knights. Use the following terms to help you explain your points. Longbow Plate Armour Centre Specialist jobs Describe the impact of the feudal system on the chain of command in the Medieval English armies. Did this change before 1500?

Plenary – My Brain Subheading – My Brain Draw an outline of your brain. Fill your drawn brain with all the things you have learnt in this lesson. This can be in the form of key words, drawings, bullet points, lists – anything you like so long as it summarises your learning and that others can understand it.