<b>Warfare in the Middle Ages<b>

The traditional and popular understanding of European warfare in the Middle Ages
held that mounted knights dominated European battlefields during the years 800
to 1400. Knights were encased in plate armor and charged with lances, scattering
, skewering, and riding down any foot troops in the way as they closed with each
other to decide the battle. The era of the knight came to an end when infantry
reestablished a prominent battlefield role with new weapons (firearms) and reviv
ed skills (formations of massed pikeman). This view was fostered by the art and
limited accounts of the era that featured the mounted nobility while ignoring th
e commoners and peasants who fought on foot. The perception that knights dominat
ed and that warfare consisted mainly of cavalry charges is false.
Foot troops were an important component of all armies in the Middle Ages. They f
ought in hand-to-hand mêlées and as missile troops (bows of various types and la
ter handguns). Foot soldiers were critical for both sides in sieges against cast
les and fortified towns.
Warfare in the Middle Ages was dominated actually by sieges of one sort or anoth
er. Battles on open ground between armies were infrequent. Armies played a sort
of chess match, maneuvering to take important castles and towns, while avoiding
engagements where a large and expensive force might be lost.
On those occasions where pitched battles did occur, knights could be devastating
. A determined charge by armored knights was a powerful force. It was more likel
y, however, that victory went to the side making best use of the three major arm
y components together-mêlée infantry, missile troops, and cavalry. Also importan
t were the factors that have always influenced battle, such as intelligent use o
f terrain, troop morale, leadership, discipline, and tactics.