ARRAY, COMMISSION OF

Array, Commission of: translation

Raising a large fighting force presented problems during the 13c and 14c. The procedure adopted was the Commission of Array. Commissioners were sent out by the crown to assess all men between 16 and 60 years of age in every township and *hundred in every shire. The best were selected and would be paid by the king; equipment had to be paid for by the recruit's home hundred. Commissioners were usually experienced soldiers themselves, and well able to select suitable men. Simultaneously, there were proclamations asking men to join up. For some there were pardons for criminal offences. However, the pay was assured; and if the troops were to serve abroad, they were paid from the day they left their home county. France was particularly popular, as it offered plenty of opportunity for plunder and looting, esp. during the *chevauchees.

Cf. Arraiator; Contract captain