INTRODUCTION.

The ancient Armies of England were composedof Horse and Foot ; but the feudal troops, esta-blished by William the Conqueror in 1086, con-sisted almost entirely of Horse . Under the feudalsystem, every holder of land amounting to whatwas termed a “ knight’s fee,” was required toprovide a charger, a coat of mail, a helmet, ashield, and a lance, and to serve the Crown aperiod of forty days in each year at his ownexpense ; and the great landholders had to pro-vide armed men in proportion to the extent oftheir estates ; consequently the ranks of the feudalCavalry were completed with men of property,and the vassals and tenants of the great barons,who led their dependents to the field in person.

In the succeeding reigns the Cavalry of theArmy was composed of Knights (or men at arms)and Hobiliers (or horsemen of inferior degree) ;and the Infantry of spear and battle-axe men,cross-bowmen, and archers. The Knights wore

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