Recruitment & Training

Recruitment and Training: Knights

There was no standing army in the Middle Ages. Instead the kings relied on recruiting combatants when needed. The training of these fighters was mostly informal.

Informal training

As there was no standing army (permanent even in peacetime) in the Middle Ages, the kings relied on recruiting combatants (fighters) when a battle demanded it.
The training of these fighters was often informal, but by 1500 became more systematic.

Recruitment of knights

At the start of the period, most knights were recruited through two types of summons:
- Feudal summons.
- General summons.

Feudal summons

Issued by the King to all nobles who had received land from him (through the feudal system).
Required 40 days of fighting.
Unreliable (only 1/6 of those summoned turned up).
Last used in 1327.

General summons

Issued by the king to all knights, appealing to their sense of duty.
Knights responded in hope of gaining positions or financial gain.

Indentures

These summons were replaced with indentures (contracts stating specific payment in return for military service for a fixed period of time).
In 1337 Edward III’s army became the first English army made up entirely of paid troops.

Training of knights

Chivalric culture was very important.
Jousts and tournaments provided opportunity to train.
Based on individual prowess rather than effective team-work.

Recruitment and Training: Infantry

There was no standing army in the Middle Ages. Instead the kings relied on recruiting combatants when needed. The training of these fighters was mostly informal.

1200

1200- recruited by sheriffs (local law-enforcers) who would muster (assemble for inspection) locals and select the best fighters:
- However, sheriffs accepted bribes, meaning it was often the weaker or less popular men who were sent to fight.

1277

1277 - Commissioners of Array (knights from the Royal Household) began to supervise:
- Large numbers often recruited, but unskilled and inexperienced.
- Desertion was common.

1285

1285 - Statute of Winchester:
- Edward’s laws to ensure musters took place annually.

1400

1400 - most foot soldiers were archers:
- Typically recruited from middle classes.
- Served as part of a knight’s retinue (knight’s personal group of combatants).
- Still recruited from areas close to fighting.

Training of infantry

1285 - Statute of Winchester - archery targets set up in every town.
1363 - Edward III’s law dictated that all men aged 16-65 spend 1 hour at an archery firing range every Sunday.

1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500

1.1Medieval Warfare & Society

1.1.1Weapons

1.1.2Composition

1.1.3Recruitment & Training

1.1.4Experience of Civilians

1.1.5Case Studies

1.1.6Change in Medieval Warfare

2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700

2.1Early Modern Warfare & Society

2.1.1Weapons

2.1.2Composition

2.1.3Recruitment & Training

2.1.4Experience of Civilians

2.1.5Case Studies

2.1.6Change in Early Modern Warfare

3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900

3.1The Industrial Period & Warfare

3.1.1Weapons

3.1.2Composition

3.1.3Recruitment & Training

3.1.4Experience of Civilians

3.1.5Case Studies

3.1.6Change in Industrial Period Warfare

4Modern Warfare c.1900-present

4.1Modern Warfare & Society

4.1.1Weapons

4.1.2Composition

4.1.3Recruitment & Training

4.1.4Experience of Civilians

4.1.5Case Studies

4.1.6Change in Modern Warfare

5The Historic Environment

5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45

5.1.1London: A Target

5.1.2Preparations for War

5.1.3The Blitz

5.1.4V1 & V2 Attacks

5.1.5Impact of the Blitz

5.1.6The War Effort

5.1.7The Government

5.1.8The Royal Family

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