<b>Armies of the Middle Ages<b>

The first medieval armies were tribal war bands carried over from ancient times.
These evolved into feudal armies made up of a lord's vassals and their respecti
ve retainers. Fief holders were required to provide a period of military service
each year. This began as weeks or months of service by the vassal accompanied b
y professional soldiers he retained personally. The armies of later kings and we
althy lords consisted of a higher proportion of professionals and mercenaries. L
ate in the period, vassals sent money instead of actually serving in armies, and
this "martial tax" helped kings to support armies year-round.
Service in feudal armies was a matter of duty and honor for the knights. In a wa
rrior society, knights lived for the opportunity to fight. Success in battle was
the main path to recognition and wealth. For professional soldiers, often the s
ons of the aristocracy left with little when the eldest began inheriting everyth
ing, fighting was a job. It was duty for peasants also, when they were called up
, but certainly not an honor.
By the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, many commoners joined the ranks for p
ay that was often much better than that for more peaceful employment. A strong a
ttraction for a commoner to become a soldier was the prospect of loot. Tribal wa
rriors stayed loyal to their warrior chief and fought for him so long as he prov
ided them with a living and loot. These ideals of the war band carried over into
the feudal age. Low-ranking knights and professional foot soldiers longed for t
he opportunity to take part in the assault against a rich town or castle because
strongholds that resisted were traditionally looted. A soldier could gather up
many times his year's pay during the sack of a city. Pitched battles also offere
d opportunities for gain. The armor and weapons of the dead could be sold and ca
ptured knights could be ransomed.