A simple guide to the feudal system & rank structure in the medieval times

thehistorysquad
2 Sept 202208:55
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this History Squad video, Kevin Hicks explores the medieval army's rank structure, particularly during the Hundred Years War. He connects the feudal system to military organization, highlighting the importance of discipline and command hierarchy from the king down to the vintenars and centinars. Hicks emphasizes the effectiveness of English archers and their discipline in battles like Agincourt and Crecy, showing how this structure influenced military success.

Takeaways
  • 🏰 The feudal system was established after the Norman Conquest in 1066, significantly altering English society, language, and religion.
  • 👑 The King was at the apex of the feudal system, owning all land and distributing it to the church, barons, and knights in a hierarchical manner.
  • 🛡️ The Hundred Years War saw a shift in warfare, with the importance of bowmen emerging as a key difference between English and French armies.
  • 🤴 King Henry V was the overall commander of the English army during the Hundred Years War, with the main guard commanded by the king himself.
  • 🏹 Discipline was crucial for medieval armies, as demonstrated by the English victories at the Battles of Agincourt and Crecy.
  • 🗡️ The rank structure of a medieval army was influenced by the feudal system, with positions such as Earl Constable, Earl Marshalls, constable, vintenar, centinar, and millenar.
  • 👥 A vintenar commanded 20 men, forming a vintaine, which was a basic unit in the English army's organization.
  • 🏹 A centinar was in charge of 100 men, overseeing five vintenars, while a millenar commanded 1,000 men with 10 centinars under him.
  • 🛡️ The medieval army's rank structure was effective for organizing troops and maintaining discipline on the battlefield.
  • 🥇 Noblemen and knights brought their own retinue of soldiers, who were still required to adhere to the overall command structure during battles.
  • 🎥 The video script is based on extensive research and aims to provide an accurate depiction of the rank structure in a medieval army during the Hundred Years War.
Q & A

  • What is the significance of the feudal system in understanding the rank structure of a medieval army?

    -The feudal system is significant because it established the hierarchy and land ownership that influenced how armies were organized and commanded. The king, nobles, and knights each had specific roles and responsibilities, which mirrored their positions in society.

  • How did the Battle of Hastings in 1066 lead to the imposition of the feudal system in England?

    -The Battle of Hastings marked the victory of William the Conqueror and the Normans over the Saxon army. This conquest led to the establishment of the feudal system in England, where the Normans seized land, imposed their language and religion, and created a hierarchical structure of land ownership and governance.

  • What percentage of the king's land was leased to the church during the feudal system?

    -The church was leased 25% of the king's land, which they used to build monasteries and cathedrals, extending the Norman church's influence over the Saxon churches.

  • How did the feudal system affect the peasants in terms of land ownership and military service?

    -Peasants did not own the land; they worked it for the knights. In return for their labor, the knights provided protection. During war, peasants were required to supply food and manpower, which was a form of taxation.

  • What was the role of the Earl Constable and Earl Marshalls in the English army during the Hundred Years War?

    -The Earl Constable and Earl Marshalls were high-ranking officials who assisted the king in commanding the army. One of them would be in charge of the Vanguard and the rearguard, while the king commanded the main guard.

  • How did discipline play a crucial role in the success of medieval English armies?

    -Discipline was essential for the success of medieval English armies. It allowed them to maintain formation and execute complex maneuvers under difficult conditions, as demonstrated in battles like Agincourt and Crecy, where their disciplined actions were key to their victories.

  • What was the command structure for a group of 20 men in a medieval English army?

    -A group of 20 men was commanded by a vintenar. Multiple vintaines, making up a hundred men, were led by a centinar. Above the centinar was a millenar, who commanded a thousand men with the help of multiple centinars and lower-ranking officers.

  • How did the rank structure in a medieval English army compare to a modern military structure?

    -The medieval rank structure had similarities to a modern military, with a hierarchy that included the king (akin to a commanding officer), earl marshals and earl constables (like high-ranking officers), millenar (similar to a regimental sergeant major), centinar (like a sergeant), and vintenar (like a corporal).

  • What was the significance of the English bowmen during the Hundred Years War?

    -The English bowmen were crucial during the Hundred Years War. They were highly skilled and their effective use at battles like Agincourt and Crecy played a significant role in the English victories. They had to be well-commanded and disciplined to maximize their impact on the battlefield.

  • How did the English army adapt their tactics during the Battle of Villeneuve to counter the French cavalry?

    -At the Battle of Villeneuve, the English bowmen got out of the way of the charging French cavalry, allowing the men-at-arms and knights to lay down or create lanes. After the cavalry charge, they stood up and engaged the French, effectively destroying their army. This showed their discipline and adaptability in battle.

  • How did noblemen with their own retinue of soldiers fit into the command structure of the English army?

    -Noblemen with their own retinue of soldiers were required to adhere to the overall command structure of the English army. Their soldiers, though wearing the nobleman's livery, had to fall in with the different units as commanded, ensuring a unified and organized military force on the battlefield.

Outlines
00:00
🏰 Introduction to Medieval Army Rank Structure and Feudal System

This paragraph introduces Kevin Hicks from the History Squad YouTube channel, discussing the rank structure in a medieval army with a focus on the Hundred Years War. It highlights the importance of understanding the feudal system, which influenced the army's command structure. The speaker explains how the feudal system was imposed after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, leading to a hierarchy where the King owned all land, leased portions to the church and barons, and knights protected peasants who worked the land. The paragraph emphasizes the evolution of warfare and the need for a structured command system, setting the stage for a detailed discussion on the rank structure of medieval armies.

05:05
🛡️ Discipline and Rank Structure in Medieval Armies

In this paragraph, the focus shifts to the discipline within medieval armies, using the English army during the Hundred Years War as an example. It discusses the importance of discipline in battle, as demonstrated by the English弓men's performance at the Battles of Agincourt and Crécy. The paragraph outlines the rank structure, starting with the King and moving down to lower commanders like the Earl Constable, Earl Marshalls, constables, vintenars, and centinars. It draws a parallel between medieval and modern military hierarchies, emphasizing the effectiveness of the medieval system in organizing troops and maintaining discipline on the battlefield. The paragraph concludes by noting that even noblemen's personal retinues had to adhere to this structure during battles.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Feudal System
The feudal system was a hierarchical social and economic structure prevalent in medieval Europe, where the king owned all the land and granted portions (fiefs) to nobles (barons), who in turn granted parts to knights. This system was crucial for the organization of armies during the Hundred Years' War, as it determined who was obligated to provide military service. In the video, Kevin Hicks explains that the king, church, and barons owned land, and knights, who were given land by barons, were expected to serve in the military.
💡Hundred Years' War
The Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts fought from 1337 to 1453 between the House of Plantagenet, ruling England, and the House of Valois, ruling France, over the right to rule the French throne. The war is significant for the development of military tactics and the use of longbowmen, which is a key focus in the video. Kevin Hicks discusses the rank structure of medieval armies during this period, emphasizing the importance of discipline and command hierarchy.
💡Vanguard
In military terminology, the vanguard refers to the leading part of an army or the troops situated at the front during a march or battle. In the context of the video, the vanguard is one of the three parts of an English army during the Hundred Years' War, with the others being the main guard (midguard) and the rear guard. The vanguard would typically be the first to engage the enemy and was commanded by an Earl Marshal or Earl Constable.
💡Longbowmen
Longbowmen were archers who used the longbow, a powerful and accurate medieval ranged weapon. They played a crucial role in the English victories during the Hundred Years' War, particularly at the Battles of Crecy and Agincourt. Their ability to fire arrows with great range and speed made them a formidable force against heavily armored knights.
💡Discipline
In the context of the video, discipline refers to the strict adherence to rules, orders, and procedures within a military organization, ensuring that soldiers carry out their duties effectively and efficiently. Discipline was particularly important in medieval armies, where maintaining formation and following commands under pressure was crucial for success in battle.
💡Battle of Agincourt
The Battle of Agincourt, fought on October 25, 1415, was a significant English victory during the Hundred Years' War. It is notable for the effective use of English longbowmen and the disciplined tactics employed by the English army, which led to a decisive defeat of the French forces. The battle exemplifies the importance of discipline and rank structure in medieval warfare.
💡Earl Constable
The Earl Constable was a high-ranking nobleman or military officer in medieval England responsible for commanding the vanguard and rearguard in the army's rank structure. This position was part of the feudal system and reflected the importance of nobles in military leadership during the Hundred Years' War.
💡Earl Marshall
The Earl Marshall was a nobleman or high-ranking military official who played a critical role in the medieval English army, often responsible for overseeing the overall military operations and ensuring the king's commands were executed. This position was integral to the chain of command and the effective functioning of the army.
💡Vintenar
A vintenar was a military officer in charge of a group of 20 soldiers, or a vintaine, in the medieval English army. This rank was part of the command structure that allowed for effective organization and control of troops on the battlefield.
💡Centinar
The centinar was a medieval military officer responsible for commanding 100 men in the English army during the Hundred Years' War. This rank was part of the hierarchical structure that enabled efficient management of larger groups of soldiers and ensured that the king's orders were carried out effectively.
💡Millenar
The millenar was a military officer in the medieval English army who commanded 1,000 men. This rank was at a higher level in the chain of command, with the millenar overseeing multiple centinars and their troops, ensuring that the army's divisions could be effectively maneuvered on the battlefield.
Highlights

The feudal system was a crucial foundation for the rank structure in medieval armies, particularly during the Hundred Years War.

William the Conqueror and the Normans imposed the feudal system after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which significantly changed English society.

Under the feudal system, the King owned all the land and distributed it to the church and barons, who in turn sublet it to knights.

Peasants worked the land for knights, providing food and manpower during wars, and knights protected them in return.

The Hundred Years War marked a shift in warfare, with the importance of bowmen becoming more prominent and requiring structured command.

An English army during the Hundred Years War was typically divided into three parts: Vanguard, main guard, and rear guard.

King Henry V was the overall commander of the English army, with the main guard commanded by the king himself.

The Earl Constable and Earl Marshalls were key figures in the command structure, with one of them commanding the Vanguard and the rearguard.

The constable was in charge of the cavalry, reflecting the importance of mounted forces in medieval warfare.

Discipline was paramount in medieval armies, as demonstrated by the English forces at the Battle of Agincourt and the Battle of Crecy.

The rank structure of a medieval army was similar to modern military organizations, with a hierarchy ranging from vintenar to millenar.

A vintenar commanded 20 men, and five vintenars were under the command of a centinar, who in turn was responsible for 100 men.

A millenar commanded 10 centinares, making them akin to a regimental sergeant major in modern armies.

Even noblemen's personal retinues of soldiers had to adhere to the overall command structure during battles.

The English army's command structure was highly effective, allowing for organized movement and combat on the battlefield.

The video provides a detailed look into the rank structure of a medieval army, particularly during the time of the Battle of Agincourt.

The presenter, Kevin Hicks, draws parallels between medieval and modern military rank structures, highlighting their similarities.

The video concludes with a teaser for a future content on 'how to raise a medieval army', indicating a continuation of the topic.

Transcripts

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FeudalismMedievalWarfareHundredYearsWarMilitaryRanksBattleTacticsAgincourtSocialHierarchyNormanConquestKnightsPeasants