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

Here's a simple guide to the feudal system & rank structure in medieval times. Unravelling how the feudal system and rank structure worked, in a nutshell, Kevin Hicks explains what the rank structure would have looked like around the time of Agincourt.

LINKS:

[MichaelWilliams-tvbm]

The important thing about the English army in the Hundred Years War was that it was not a feudal army. Feudal obligation only applied to service in England. If the King wanted troops to serve overseas he had to pay them, thus making them professional soldiers. This meant that a peasant bowman could return to England with pay and plunder and enter the money economy, rather than live as a subsistence farmer working his Lords land.

[flyboymike]

I'm sure you already know this. But I think it's cool that Sargeant, much like Knight, originally meant servant, and both became terms used to describe professional soldiers. The use of Sargeants to drill, oversee, and discipline leavied men and conscripts, is what lead to the modern practice of having non-commisioned officers.

[jonathanharbin]

These videos are so great for anyone curious as to how medieval warfare was organized, supplied and fought. Love this channel Kevin!

[philslaton]

Kevin, you're the best history professor that I ever had, thanks.

[onefrostysoldier]

There’s another excellent example of discipline in medieval warfare: The Battle of Cocherel. 1.5K to 3K French Knights faced off an English army of 5K-6K. After launching their signature ‘Chivalric Charge’, their leader, Bertrand du Guesclin, ordered a retreat, however it was a trap. The English left their strong positions and the Knights turned back around, encircled the English and destroyed them. Great video as always, and can’t wait for the Vernuilles episode!

[liranzaidman]

I get up in the morning, just before I go to the office, grab a cup of coffee and watching these videos. There's always something new and interesting. Thanks Kevin

[THINKincessantly]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Really have a calmness that comes over me here on this channel...An authentic Englishman dressed to the period, in his great hall telling tales from the old days...

[jktvjanuth]

this man is suffering from a skin disease but is still loving and willing to teach others who dont know. we need more people like this

[Dutchx]

As an American, I have always studied American history. It is a joy to learn your English history. Thank you for these videos!

[thebeggarsdice]

This guy is hands down the most entertaining medievalist channel on Youtube.

[davidstrother]

Thanks for another history lesson, Kevin. The command structure breakdown is still similar to todays, just with the brigade or division commander instead of the king. As a veteran of the US Army, and yourself of the British Army, we can appreciate discipline. Cheers from Texas.

[bobthompson]

An army without officers but complete with NCO’s can survive temporarily but an army without NCO’s and full compliment of officers will crumble immediately.

[floridablackbear.]

In all my life I have never heard this explained so well. Well done, as you say in the UK!

[adamcloud]

Hello from central Indiana USA! Love this channel. I first watched Kevin giving a tour of a castle. I've been keen ever since. These videos are so well done and the passion is obvious. Keep doing your thing, History Squad!

[Celtopia]

Thank you I love these obscure subjects you dig up from the shadows of the past.

[terrain-hardy]

It won't be long, before I got a doctor's degree in medieval times ...thanks to the best teacher in the world 👌
Many many thanks for showing and please keep up the good work 👍

[briansmith]

Great explanation on a topic that surprisingly little is readily available i orit. Interesting to see the importation of French into the medieval rank system - vingt = 20, cent = 100, and mille = 1000.

[MrTwunders]

This was extremely interesting to me. I always had thought that a bunch of somewhat autonomous groups of people just kind of milled about the battlefield after having a brief planning session before the battle. Cool

[sharhune]

Very good video, Kevin. Always learn something new. Apologies to your ancestors, as my mothers family came over with William the Bastard in 1066. My fathers family was in Wales at the time. Take care.

[kirkmorrison]

A great explanation much clearer than my Professor back in the 1970s