Feudal Armies: How Many Soldiers Did a Feudal Lord Control?

The number of soldiers a feudal lord controlled varied widely based on factors such as wealth, the size of their lands, and the specific time period and region. This article explores the different aspects that influenced the size of a feudal lord's military contingent, including the scale of control, the role of retainers and vassals, and the historical context of the medieval period.

Scale of Control

A feudal lord's military power could range from a small personal retinue to a large contingent of several hundred soldiers. In general, minor lords might control a few dozen soldiers, while more powerful lords could command hundreds or even thousands of troops, especially during times of conflict.

Retainers and Vassals

Lords often had a core group of knights or retainers who owed them direct military service. Additionally, they could call upon vassals who held land from them to provide additional troops when needed. Vassals would provide knights, and the number could vary depending on the land they held. In the early medieval period, a lord might be expected to provide a certain number of knights based on the size of the land they held, often one knight for every 40 acres. This could translate to several hundred soldiers for larger lords.

Historical Context

The structure and size of feudal armies could differ significantly between regions. For example, in Britain, one knight was expected for every five hides, a unit of taxable land area. A hide varied from 120 acres to 40 in particularly rich farmland, translating to between 1 and 3 men at arms per square mile of land in the lord's demesne. Additionally, a lord would have a personal retinue of knights, amounting to about one per 20 men at arms.

Regional Variations

Regional traditions and military obligations also played a crucial role. In France and Japan, for instance, feudal structures and military expectations could vary significantly. The decision to call on vassals and retainers was often a careful one, given that withholding manpower from the fields could significantly impact the lord's income from crops. During times of real trouble, such as war, lords could order the working folk to muster for war. Typically, these peasants would form the infantry, while professional soldiers would often be mounted, though this was a broad generalization.

Conclusion

The number of soldiers a feudal lord controlled could range from 20 to 5,000 or more, depending on the lord's rank and wealth. The decision to call upon military service was a strategic and often economically significant one for a lord, influenced by both internal and external factors. Understanding the dynamics of feudal armies provides insight into the complex social and military structures of the medieval period.

Keyword: feudal lords, medieval armies, military service, land fiefs