CHAP. VII.] 



DECLINE OF FEUDALISM. 



193 



they could not furnish as many horsemen as could be 

 supplied by the ancient system, when military service 

 was connected almost altogether with the possession and 

 culture of land. They consequently raised large numbers 

 of infantry, who, unlike the rabble which followed the 

 feudal armies, were free artizans and mechanics, who had 

 rights and property to defend. 



When the infantry came to be organised from among 

 the better classes, the first step was made towards the 

 revival of that arm. During the palmy days of chivalry 

 the infantry were not only composed of serfs of the 

 lowest character, but there must have been great diffi- 

 culty in providing leaders for them, when all soldiers of 

 any pretensions fought in the cavalry, and considered 

 the infantry service as degrading to the rank of a gentle- 

 man. They were therefore neither drilled nor organised 

 to be of any service whatever, but were an undisciplined 

 mob, neglected, and without leaders. 



It can therefore be easily understood that when the 

 free-born citizens of the chartered cities organised for their 

 own defence, attention was bestowed upon the arma- 

 ment and discipline of the force, and more reliable foot- 

 soldiers began to appear upon the battle-fields of Europe. 

 . About this time, however, changes began to be made 

 in the armour of the knights and men-at-arms which 

 tended to retain the superiority of the cavalry over the 

 inftmtry. The weapons of offence for a time had to a 

 certain extent overmatched the art of defence. The 

 chain-mail, it was found, was often broken or torn by 

 the lance thrust, and even if it held firm, the wearer was 

 badly injured and bruised by the blow. The mail was 

 also a very imperfect defence against the downright 

 stroke of mace or battle-axe, and archery was becoming 

 so improved, and crossbows so powerful, that chain-mail 

 was found to be but an inefficient protection, 



This led to many changes in armour. Plates were 

 first applied to defend the most exposed portions of the 

 body, and were at first worn over the chain-mail. Arm 

 and thigh pieces, knee, elbow, and shoulder guards, were 

 soon added, and during a great portion of the fourteenth 







