Fyrd

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As Fyrd that was Anglo-Saxon militia called. It consisted of free residents of England . They were obliged to make themselves available to the king for military service for a certain period of the year (usually one to two months) . However, their obligation was extinguished in case of death of the military leader . They were also responsible for their own equipment.

It was precisely their own equipment that made them a combat unit that was dying out. It is said that the Fyrd was of high morals and belligerence, but the clout against an equally well-equipped army was rather poor.

The Fyrd had one of their last successes in 1066 when they marched together with Harald II Godwinson, the then King of England, first to York to fend off the newly arrived Norwegian King Harald Hardrade at the Battle of Stamford Bridge and then immediately south to hurry to face William the Conqueror in the battle of Hastings .

Their weaknesses were particularly evident against Wilhelm, since they were only moderately armed. Most of them were armed only with clubs and spears and went into battle without any armor. Their discipline was also rather poor, since they allowed themselves to be carried away by the constant pseudo-withdrawals of Wilhelm into breaking out of the ranks of the shield wall . Outside the shield wall, they were quickly ridden down by the Norman cavalry.