1500 - 1700

• composition of the army

  continuity - cavalry and infantry.

  change - new weapons such as muskets and cannon required more training to use; artillery trains increased in size and importance.
• how did the battlefield roles of cavalry change?

  • it was no longer the decisive force.
  • it harassed enemy cavalry.
  • mounted charge was used less.
  • dragoons (mounted infantry) replaced mounted archers until 1700.
• government

  rulers increasingly used tax to pay for soliders.

  use of mercenaries increased.
• standing armies


  permanent force of full-time professional soldiers.
• oliver cromwell

  key in setting up the new model army.

  head of its cavalry.

  insisted on the importance of drill training and strict discipline.

  he pushed to remove commanders based on social status.
• how did strategy and tactics change?

  pikemen and musketeers had to work together as pikemen were an easy target alone.

  pikemen formed a square around musketeers.

  by 1600, lines were used instead to provide a volley of fire.
• why did muskets replace longbows?

  developments in science and technology

  • muskets could pierce armour.
  • mass production of bullets meant they were available to every solider.
  • store thousands of bullets in a barrel, unlike arrows.
  • cheaper to make.
• why did muskets replace longbows?

  changes in tactics

  • musketeers began defeating pikemen in battle which led to changes in tactics.
  • Henry VIII received a battle report stating the success of muskets against pikemen which led to an increase in firearms.
• why did the muskets replace the longbow?

  changes in society

  • growth in towns reduced the number of archers able to train.
  • took years of practise to become a successful bowman.
  • muskets took days.
• the wheel-lock pistol


  small firearm

  developed in 1540s

  pistols and swords replaced old weapons and armour was abandoned as improved guns made in useless.
• why was the matchlock musket replaced with the flintlock mechanism?


  • the matchlock was dangerous near gunpowder due to its exposed match flame.
  • unreliable in the rain as the match could go out.
  • visible at night due to the match.
• bayonet


  a short sword or dagger that could be attached to the end of a musket.
• plug bayonet


  developed in 1647.

  fitted down the barrel of the musket like a plug.

  this meant the soldiers could not fire with the dagger fitted.

  not efficient as it took to long to fix.
• ring bayonet


  fixed to the outside of the barrel by two rings.

  this was not very secure and often broke off during fighting.
• socket bayonet


  fitted over the outside of the barrel and had a locking mechanism.

  converted musketeers into melee so troops no longer needed to be split into separate roles.
• why was the rising power of the cannon weakened?

  • new engineering methods made stronger defensive walls.
  • from 1530s, england spent large sums constructing new defences.
  • low, thick, earth filled walls meant cannons didn't penetrate.
  • walls were angled so cannon balls bounced off them.
• how was there continuity in recruitment until 1645?

  • until 1645, the tudor system of recruitment continued based on the statute of winchester.
  • all men aged 16-60 were forced serve in their local area.
  • men provided their own weapons and general musters were held every few years for inspection.
  • king appointed lords to command each county's military.
  • in 1573, the trained bands were set up.
• who were the trained bands, 1573?

  a group of men from the local militia (from each county) who met monthly for training by muster masters.
• who were the muster masters?

  in 1580s, muster masters were professional soldiers who ran the trained bands.

  by 1590s, they were replaced by local gentlemen who resented taking orders.
• how was there change in recruitment from 1645?.

  • the new model army.
  • parliament raised a national volunteer army with regular pay that allowed successful soldiers to be raised to command positions.
• changes in training

  new weapons, like muskets, required discipline.

  musketeers and pikemen had to learn to work together.
• impact on civilians - before the civil war

  • merchant ships were requisitioned.
  • horses and supplies were requisitioned and led to shortages.
  • higher taxes, lower earnings and raising prices.
  • damage to civilian property.
• impact on civilians - during the civil wars

  • requisitioning continued.
  • plunder (stealing from civilians) due to lack of pay and supplies.
  • free quarter (armies forced communities to feed and house troops).
  • sieges caused at least 55, 000 people homeless.
• the battle of naseby, 1645 (background)


  • fairfax and cromwell (parliment), king charles and prince rupert (royalists)
  • part of the english civil war.
• events (naseby, 1645)


  • the parliamentarians flanks were protected.
  • fairfax kept his men behind a hill out of sight.
  • high position gave a tactical advantage.
  • cromwell persuaded fairfax to tempt the royalists into attacking up the hill.
• events (naseby, 1645)

  • the NMA advance over the hill to meet the royalists as they climb up.
  • royalist cavalry get distracted and raid the baggage train for plunder.
  • the NMA frontline breaks.
  • cromwells cavalry attack the flanks and rear of royalist infantry and they break.
  • parliament defeats them using hand-to-hand combat.
• fairfax and cromwell (naseby, 1645)

  fairfax

  • fought alongside his men.
  • led the infantry.

  cromwell

  • recruited the best cavalry in the war.
• king charles and prince rupert (naseby, 1645)


  • underestimated the enemy
  • outnumbered
  • wanted a speedy victory before the NMA joined the scots.
  • lacked control of cavalry.
• how did battlefield roles for infantry change?

  • became the dominant force due to new weapons and tactics.
  • divided into: musketeers (who replaced archers) and pikemen (who fought in squares or columns).
• why did muskets replace longbows?

  • development in science and technology.
  • changes in society.
  • changes in thinking.
• what year were the trained bands set up?

  1573
• how were infantry raised for the new model army?

  • 14 400 men were raised; half from existing forces and half pressed.
  • received 8 pence a day.
  • desertion rates were high and during 1645, 14 500 were pressed.
• how were cavalry raised for the new model army?

  • 6600 men were raised from existing forces.
  • received 24 pence a day but had to provide for themselves.
  • held together to charge and finish an attack.
  • 1000 dragoons were also raised.
• why did the new model army's uniform cause confusion?

  • it introduced the red coat which caused confusion as previously each regiment wore the colour of their colonel.
  • the lack of clear uniform also made it easier for soldiers to desert.