Soldiers of the High Middle Ages

Foot soldiers from 11th century Life of St. Aubin of Angers(note that the peasant levy is commanded by a knight in armor)

Evolution of Armor, c.1066-c.1250 clockwise from upper left corner: late 11th c, mid 12th c, mid 13th

Evolution of Armor:tomb effigies of English knights

Sir Robert de Trumpington, (d.1289)

Sir William fitzRalf (d. 1323)

Sir Humphrey Littlebury (d.1365)

Knights and mounted sergeants in battle from the Morgan Picture Bible, French c.1250

Knights fighting, from William of Tyre’s History of the Crusades

(Yates Thompson, British Library, c.1250)

square banners represent contingents of knights banneret

Foot sergeants, crossbowmen, slinger during a siege, from the Morgan Picture Bible, c.1250

Longbow practice, from the Luttrell Psalter, 14th century (English)

Holkham Picture Bible, early 14th centuryHeavily armored knights on horseback above and

Lightly armored foot soldiers below

Flemish foot soldiers at the battle of Courtrai, 1302 (The Courtrai Chest, early 14th century)