Shire levy

A shire levy was a means of military recruitment in medieval England. As opposed to a levy of noble families, a shire levy was effected within a geographical administrative area (a shire), entailing the mobilisation of able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 within the shire for military duty.[1] Shire levies were especially important for England during the Hundred Years' War, when the escalation in warfare with France increased the need for soldiers: "the king was able to rely on the military support of the nobility and of the shire levies." [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Definition". NetSERF (from "Medieval Warfare" by Terence Wise).
  2. ↑ Curry, Anne. The Hundred Years' War, 1337-1453, p. 23. ISBN 1-84176-269-5

See also

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