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Richard Turner
Mrs. Mueller
English IV – 5
February 24, 2011
British middle ages warfare VS modern British warfare
The change of British middle ages warfare to their modern day warfare is like an iPod update;
slow but efficient. In the middle ages their weapons and armor were more simple; where in modern day
the armor and weapons are still simple but improved their tactics. The changes went from full metal
suits to being cover in cloth with light under armor.
Even way back in the middle ages era Britain was not able to come to compromises with other
Nations by just talking about it; they fought many wars, for example, the hundred years war. Just like
any other war they used some type of weaponry. Britain’s middle ages main source of warfare
consisted of types of catapults, slingshots, swords and jousting types of spears. Most catapults were
designed to throw stones or burning missiles over town walls; slingshots were designed the same way
but used for smaller targets. Joust were used on and off horses for ”bayonet” type charges. Swords
were not used for many wars but more for Knight tournaments that originated from France in the 12th
century.
Britain during the middle ages were not the most organized so instead of your original Army
soldier they had medieval Knights during their time of chivalry. Knights were a step below lords on the
social ladder ; Knights are the sons of vassals that are sent to the Lord’s house to become of age, they
are trained by the woman of the house until they are 14 years old, at that time they become a squire
until their vigorous training of horse riding, war skills and other sports are complete than they are
knighted. Knights were equivalent to our soldier; they fought in the wars and tournaments where they
were awarded prizes by the queen of beauty. Knight might of fought honorably but they did not go out
unprotected, actually they did the complete opposite. A knight’s armor in the beginning consisted of
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links of metal that formed a layer of protection for the upper part of the body. As time went by the
Knight’s armor became more and more elaborate, eventually their entire body was covered in steel
plates.
War after war the middle ages changed to the dark ages and catapults changed to modern
weapons; mainly ones that use some type of gunpowder. Most of today’s modern weapons no longer
look alike the ones from the middle ages but they still perform the same task; the main difference
between them is the new technology they use. Catapults transformed to cannons, slingshots became
small guns and grenades and joust somewhat resemble a bayonet. Despite the major difference in the
way they looked weapons are always made to do the same task just improved to be more efficient.
Most modern artillery is known as field artillery; the soviet army’s main field artillery consisted of small
handguns like the browning 9mm pistol, modern hand grenades, and they also added rockets and
tanks.
Since the middle ages Britain has transformed from knights to the royal army which was cited to
be founded in the year of 1645, during world war II. Metal armored suits were no longer a requirement,
now a days the army uniforms consist of “flamboyant” clothing such as jackets , cords, boots and feather
topped hats; different areas of Britain may have more or less of a flamboyant uniform than others.
Most of their under armor protection is mainly just bullet proof vest because there is no
need for heavyweight equipment since not much can protect a soldier from a explosion from a grenade.
Since the uniforms were more lightweight than the ones in the middle ages soldiers are able to equip
themselves with their warfare and weaponry to carry with them on trips and during war.
Middles ages weapons contrast majorly with their weapons of modern day. For example,
catapults were great for knocking down walls because of the great strength of the stones used but
cannons do the same thing are more efficient because the cannonballs are lighter and easier to load and
launching them is caused by just the light of a match. Slingshots were no longer used once grenades and
handguns were perfected because they were used for further away targets and make a bigger impact on
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enemies . Middle ages Britain weapons have changed drastically in shape, size and the way they perform
their task.
Along with weapons the battle frontier has also changed drastically. Battles no longer consisted
of knights going to tournaments for prizes and bigger titles; it is now mainly wars with other nations to
dominate landmass.. The reason for battle frontier has changed as well, in the middle ages knights went
to war because of kings or queens becoming corrupt. The modern reason for battle frontier was because
of invasions by other countries. For example, the catastrophe of bloody Mary’s massacre; and The Battle
of the Frontiers along the eastern frontier of France shortly after the outbreak of World War I.