Commission of Array

Beginning in Edward I's reign the normal method of recruiting infantry troops was to set up commissions of array, although commissioners had been used earlier to ensure that men were properly provided with military equipment. All able-bodied men were obliged under the terms of the Statute of Winchester of 1285 to possess military equipment appropriate to their status. The commissioners, normally men with military experience, were appointed to recruit specified numbers of men for individual campaigns. In practice, the task of selecting men was usually left to local communities. Those recruited were then organized into units of 20 and 100. By Edward II's reign the system was on occasion used to recruit horse as well as foot. Under Edward III commissions of array became less important, for indentures, or contracts drawn up between the crown and the magnates, became the normal means of recruiting both archers and cavalry. Nevertheless, commissions of array continued to be used throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. The practice was of considerable value to the crown during the Wars of the Roses, and was revived in the 17th century under Charles I during the British civil wars.

Bibliography

• Powicke, M. R., Military Obligation in Medieval England (Oxford, 1962)

— Michael Prestwich

This was a means of raising local troops. The commissions instructed individuals to raise troops in their area and were first issued by Edward I. Parliament succeeded in obtaining a number of concessions. Edward III promised in 1327 not to employ the men outside their county, save in case of invasion; in 1344 that the crown would pay wages if they were asked to serve outside the kingdom; in 1350 that commissions would only be issued with the consent of Parliament. After mid-16th cent. it was more convenient to ask the lords-lieutenant to raise levies and commissions fell into disuse.

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A Commission of Array was a commission given by English royalty to officers or gentry in a given territory to muster and array the inhabitants, or see them in a condition for war.

Commissions of array developed from the ancient obligation of all free men to defend their country. Commissioners were usually experienced soldiers, appointed by the crown to array able bodied men from each shire. By the time of the Wars of the Roses conscript levies were less important than troops raised by indenture.

Though obsolete by the 17th century, the system was revived by Charles I in 1642 (in opposition to the 1641 Militia Ordinance that gave Parliament control of raising troops) in order to muster a Royalist army at the onset of the English Civil War.

See also

• Arrayer
• Posse comitatus

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