hundredman

A hundredman was a military rank and position within the English army during the medieval period, particularly from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The term referred to a soldier responsible for commanding a company of 100 men, typically archers or infantry. This rank was part of the feudal military system, where landowners were expected to provide armed men for military service in exchange for protection and other benefits.

The hundredman was often a local landowner or a trusted officer who had experience in warfare. Their duties included organizing and leading their men in battle, ensuring proper discipline, and coordinating with other commanders. The size of a hundredman’s unit varied, but it was generally understood to be around 100 men, though in practice, numbers could fluctuate. This unit structure was a key component of the English military organization during the Crusades, the Wars of the Roses, and other conflicts of the period.

By the late medieval and early modern eras, the role of the hundredman evolved alongside changes in warfare. The introduction of firearms and the decline of feudal obligations reduced the reliance on such traditional military units. However, the term occasionally persisted in local military records or ceremonial contexts. The hundredman’s legacy reflects the broader shift from feudal levies to professional standing armies in European military history.

While the exact historical records of individual hundredmen are scarce, their role highlights the importance of local leadership in medieval warfare. The position underscored the balance between centralized command and decentralized military service, a system that influenced later military structures in England and beyond.