Middle Ages

The mediaeval army (500 1500)

The professional army disappeared from the scene after the fall of the Roman Empire. The principal fighters in the Middle Ages were the knights. They supplied their own weaponry and horses. Knights also fulfilled political and social functions and were the forerunners of the later nobility. When they went off to war, they could oblige their serfs to accompany them to fight. These serfs mostly peasants were the foot soldiers. Mercenaries were employed in the later Middle Ages. These were professional soldiers who put themselves out for hire to nobles. The core of a knightly force was formed by the knights themselves. Lances and armour were major items of equipment. Only knights were able to afford the costly suits of armour and the horses. The foot soldiers used many types of weapon based on agricultural implements. Armies were formed only in times of war. Towns were an exception: they protected themselves with city walls and armed citizens, united in a militia.