etyders

Etyders were a type of medieval mercenary from the region of Gascony, in what is now southwestern France. They were known for their military prowess and their role as a hired army. Etyders were often recruited from the local population, particularly from the towns and cities of the region.

Generally, etyders were lightly armed infantry, equipped with swords, shields, and often crossbows. They were trained in the use of these weapons and were skilled in tactics, but their primary strength lay in their numerical superiority and mobility. As a result, they were often employed as a vanguard or screening force, to scout out enemy positions and create a defensive perimeter.

Etyders played an important role in medieval warfare, particularly during the Hundred Years' War between England and France. They saw service under various lords and nobles, including the dukes of Aquitaine and the Count of Armagnac. Their value as mercenaries lay in their flexibility and willingness to serve under a variety of commanders. Despite this, etyders were not immune to criticism, with some contemporary accounts portraying them as unreliable or prone to desertion.

Throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, the role of etyders in warfare evolved, and they began to be replaced by more heavily armored and organized units. While their legacy as medieval mercenaries has endured, the historical record of the etyders is limited and scattered, reflecting the fragmentary nature of medieval sources. Nonetheless, their tactical significance and military impact remain a subject of interest among historians of medieval warfare.