There were three main types of soldiers in the Middle Ages.
- Foot Soldiers made up the largest part of any medieval army. They fought with swords, daggers and spears and had shields for protection. They were peasants who returned to the fields when the battle or war was over.
- Archers fought with a bow and arrow, or sometimes a longbow or crossbow. They wore little protective clothing.
- Knights were minor nobles who fought on horseback and swore an oath of chivalry. They wore full body armour, chainmail, a shield and a helmet for protection. They used lances, swords and maces in battle. There were only a few hundred knights in an army.