Abstract

FERREIRA, Leandro  and  SKOOG, Martin Neuding. Crossbowmen in late medieval Portugal and Sweden. A comparison. População e Sociedade [online]. 2020, n.33, pp.30-51.  Epub May 13, 2022. ISSN 0873-1861.

This paper aims to compare militia organizations in two peripheral late medieval kingdoms: Portugal and Sweden. In the Portuguese case, the «besteiros do conto» (crossbowmen) militia is the object of study, whereas in Sweden, the rural «uppbåd» peasant militia is analyzed. In this study, these two objects are compared in terms of origins, organization, leadership, relation to state or royal power, forms of service reimbursement, strategies of recruitment and training, campaign performance, estimated professionalism and impact on martial society. The aim is further to assess on what points we find similar developments, but also how they differ and the possible reasons for it.

Keywords : military organization; crossbow; medieval warfare; Portugal; Sweden.

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