What were the roles of the English and French mercenaries in the Hundred Years War?

What were the roles of the English and French mercenaries in the Hundred Years War?

During the Hundred Years War, both the English and French employed mercenaries to bolster their military forces. The roles of these mercenaries varied for each side.

For the English, mercenaries played a crucial role in their military strategy. The English army heavily relied on longbowmen, who were often recruited from Wales and England. These skilled archers were highly effective in battle, providing the English with a significant advantage. Additionally, the English also hired mercenaries from other countries, such as Gascony and Ireland, to supplement their forces. These mercenaries served as infantry soldiers, providing additional manpower and combat expertise.

On the other hand, the French also employed mercenaries, but to a lesser extent compared to the English. The French primarily relied on their feudal levies, which consisted of knights and men-at-arms. However, they did hire some foreign mercenaries, particularly from Scotland and Italy. These mercenaries served as cavalry, providing the French with additional mounted troops.

Overall, the roles of English mercenaries in the Hundred Years War were more significant and diverse compared to the French. The English heavily relied on longbowmen and hired mercenaries from various regions, while the French primarily relied on their feudal levies with a smaller number of foreign mercenaries.