How did Medieval Armies Move? | Baggage Train 

This really brings into focus how staggeringly much stuff they had to bring. Being able to take side roads would be a huge advantage. I just love hearing about the more "behind the scenes" stuff in history because it really fleshes out all the major events like the battles of Agincourt or Crecy and makes them feel connected instead of isolated entries in history books

Infantry win battles, logistics wins wars....General Pershing.

Excellent. I’m a retired U.S. Army logistician and such details are fascinating. Thank you for giving fair shrift to logistics.

You have to admire (if not love) Edward III, who was a military genius hundreds of years ahead of his time! Napoleon paid scrupulous attention to his baggage train through Talleyrand, a logistics genius of the age. Having been a squaddie, you know if the supply chain breaks down, you cannot do your job. Well presented and explained.

Wow...the bit about moving ahead and cutting down bushes/trees was brilliant !

I absolutely love this channel. I am autistic and have a major obsession with the medieval English world. I just want to thank you for creating quality videos

When Charles VII of France modernized the army through the Compagnies d'Ordonnance, it required each 6 members of each "lances fournies" to ride on a horse, even if they didn't fight on one (or at all, for exemple for the page or the valet). This made the army much more flexible and fast, but also required to have many blacksmiths and people to care for the horses. People don't realize that armies need many camp followers, and sometimes there are as many non-combattant "handlers" as there are fighters in an army in campaign. One of the few documentary that showed this side of warfare was in Age of Empire IV actually, I didn't like their takes on history but the documentaries on society were great

Excellent, thank you. I don't think people realise how important logistics are. No logistics, no army. Baggage trains were often many miles long and if the army lost its battle it was a free for all to loot the baggage train.

there was a rens group that was interested in logstics. some of my friends work in logstics, and we were intrested. anyway, we used wagons and series of different river banks to move a single barrell of ale. just One barrel. took us 3 days to move a hundred miles via both. Can you imagine an army in hundreds or even thousands with established converge lanes into the camp meet-up area before the final send off. that part is VERY diffulct to coordinate. ( did we arrive too early? did they already leave?) once the army moved as one from meet-up camps. that get progressively easier. but then again, the famous saying rings true, NOTHING GOES ACCORDINGLY PLANNED SO IN THE ARMY

Logistics are absolutely underrated. Just think of the epic wars of the Greeks, Persians, Romans, Chinese... and compare them with the puny skirmishes that followed antiquity.... So many cultures were simply unable to supply a major military campaign.

I can’t believe I’ve only just discovered this channel, Kevin. I spent my summer holidays visiting Warwick Castle from the age of 6 to 10 and remember your displays so vividly! Thank you for all the fantastic memories and for the content you’re creating now. Chuffed (and jealous) you’re living retirement in the Canadian wilds!

I can't believe my luck to have found this channel. I always thought Kevin had a great personality, and would occasionally seek out the few videos available of him on RU-vid, to enjoy some historical retelling. I'm glad you're finally producing videos in this format. Cheers from Ohio!

The history of Britain is absolutely amazing. I love to hear about the people, places, battles and investigations

As always, very enjoyable and informative, Kevin. One of the things I've often found when working with the public is that you have to explain to people that medieval armies had to basically have what amounted to a small town moving with them. As well as all the comforts such as tents, chairs, tables and the like, you had to have farriers, arrowsmiths, bowyers and others with you as well, as the deeper you went into enemy territory the harder re-supply becomes and you have to basically make from scratch. I think we are that used to the idea of forces being self-contained and then being able to go back to their base that the notion of having to take it all with you is forgotten about.

The video is a delight, like always! The baggage trains also moved a large number of non-combatants (blacksmiths, carpenters, horse-boys, doctors, servants and merchants) with their equipment and supplies.

I never realized I was interested in how medieval armies moved around until you made a video about it. And, as with all your videos, it's interesting, intriguing, and full of knowledge. Brilliantly presented! 👏 👏 👏

When I saw this video in my suggested videos I literally said out loud "Oooh, baggage trains! Yes!" I guess I'm just very interested in medieval logistics...

Hey Kevin! Loved your last video about the Union FLAG. 😇 as an Australian with British heritage, I love to be so informed. Also, you could give me a quick hello even though not patreon, I view and comment all of the History Squad content.. I’m being cheeky, just am a big fan. Cheers for the new upload 🏹

Fascinating, I didn’t know any of this. Thanks for your regular videos

You do a really good job on portraying the way things worked back then.Keep it up love the content.

You used to do workshops at my school when I was a kid, so glad I've found this channel because you're still as engaging and interesting as I remember!

I actually wrote a couple of short stories on the logistical side of medieval warfare when I was younger and it became really evident to me just how overlooked this aspect is. The sheer agony I felt when having to research all the important bits was astounding because at the time it wasn't as easy as it is now to find out about that stuff, or if it was I didn't know where to look. I didn't need a lot of information, but I needed enough to make it seem believable and detailed, and luckily I managed to make do. Never again, though.

keep up the great work, Kevin!

That billhook strategy is absolutely genius. I've heard of the billhook as a weapon but this just makes it so much more good

Greetings once again from nova Scotia, thanks Kevin, if I may be so bold, for another very interesting film. I guess I never really thought about the reality of supply trains , every t needed crossing, every I needing a dot. Thank you once again, and as always best regards, Arthur

Love your work Mr. Hicks!

Man I love this guy’s channel.

Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and personable videos. I live in Warwick and I valued so much your visits to my school and seeing you at the castle. Such a big part of my love for history. Thank you Kevin so much!

Another lot of interesting facts Kevin, them billhooks are a handy tool to have I have a modern version with synthetic handle.

Remarkable stuff. Really appreciate the effort gone into painting those minis to give us a better idea of what it would have looked like, rather than just describing it!

I love the fact that this topic is come up right now. Wherever you fall when it comes to current world conflicts, we can see just how important the systems of logistics are when it comes to operating the machine of War. I've been personally learning more and more about modern logistics and how they play part in the moving and functionality of the standing armed Force so this was an absolute delight, Kevin. Thank you so much for what you do, I'm so glad to have found your channel.

I weirdly think I saw you in late 90s on a school trip must have been Warrick Castle or maybe a weekend family trip. Its the way you speak or talk. The RU-vid algorithm found this channel for me, but I still have a keen interest in history as I did as a child. Very strange to have unlocked that memory. Great videos

As the old saying goes, professional studies logistics. Very illuminating video, love it! Also, if I may ask, where did you get the miniatures? They are very wonderfully assembled and painted too!

Have to love the internet....for all it's bad....because it gives us access to guys like this and their expertise. love it.

Another amazing video. Thank you. I wondered how back they moved. I knew it had to be a lot logistics that was involved. When I was In the army. I got know the logistics officer and he explained some of how it can be a big pain in the backside things need to be done before we either make a big push or even go from one area to another

A great video on a most important subject...and I do like the illustrations with the miniatures...Informative and interesting, greetings from France!

Outstanding and informative video! My ancestors are from England. I love learning the history.

Great short story - thanks for sharing.

Your videos are really amazing and fun to watch, keep up the good work and much love from Tunisia!

Could you possibly do a video on Edward the first since he had an interesting life with crusades and stuff

Thanks! I've wondered what medieval wartime logistics looked like for a while now. Every piece of info helps. It's very similar to "Hell on Wheels!"

Smashing! Another very interesting video, I enjoy learning about the day to day living of the common man, perhaps you could do more on the food of the archers, what they ate how they cooked it, who cooked it, etcetera? Many thanks, keep up the good work.

Fascinating again! Thank you.

Great to learn about the things that aren't in the history books, Kevin. Thanks.

I really enjoy your stories. Your personality really shows through, keep the videos coming...

A very good point! Is so neglected fact and so important! I'm in this moment reading about that but at sea in battle of Lepanto and like you say logist is so important in warfare! Keep winning and spinning ! Have a great weekend.

Amazing history 👏 only subscribed 3 weeks ago.You are such a great teller of a story. You definitely bring 14/15th century to life.Good luck on your on going success.

Hi Kevin, Iv just found your channel and have been though lots of your videos this past week and think there fantastic and just want to say thank you for your great content, keep it up 👍🏼

we don't often think about the logistics - great story Kevin, very informative. 75k subscribers - way to go team Hicks :-)

as someone who has a rough 14th century harness , and goes to an occasional larp (live action role play) , The logistics for just my self a lot, its crazy to see what happens when a campaign into in full effect, bravo for another vid sir

Would like to see more on the logistics behind these battles and campaigns from this time.

First well documented approach to logistic problem were by Gai Marius, great Roman general and military reformer. He made soldiers carry lots of equipment, reducing number of carts and wagons.

An army is a town or city on the move depending on the size. Reminded me of the issues keeping a supply line going and an at marching in the French and Indian war over here. Trying to move a supply line like that in the frontier. And ambush risk. Good video.

War's fulla baggage. Nice video Kevin

You’re an absolute legend my friend great videos and very interesting! Keep them coming mate! 👍

Its staggering to think how much goes into warfare! Even though the soldiers and officers fight in the battles to win the war, its the people who are involved with the logistics are also the hero's of any battle or war that was won.

Fascinating this, often an overlooked part of an army movement but absolutely essential of course. Imagine being able to go back as an unseen observer, to the medieval days!

Excellent informative videos, the way you speak and present the information is spot on, cheers! Love the humorous element in your presentation style, unintentional or not, don't change!

Yet another one I missed. Thank you Kevin great video.

This has become one if my favorite history channels. Short, well explained, and to the point. I enjoy all your videos. Many thanks!

I’ve appreciated your presentations this one was just wonderful for me. The details bring to life the practical experience of that time. I thought the miniatures elegant and would appreciate who made or manufactured them. Thank you so much for so much rich information in so short a time

I have wondered so many things about history and how they accomplished all that they did and it also makes it clear how King John lost his treasures. Thank you and keep up the great work

Great video as always! Mark my words you will have several hundred thousand subscribers in no time!

great, an often overlooked subject.

Wow, i thougt i had known it all already. But this was really new to me. It was really clever to transition from big heavy clumsy, slow supply wagons to a faster, mobile, modular and smarter way of transporting. A really modern way of thinking. Also these depictions are astonshing. The wagons have ladders or ladderlike "walls" on the sides. In german theres a term for it "Leiterwagen" (literally "ladderwagon") . And i almost BET... that they could be possibly removed and actually used as ladders. The spike on the end does hint that too.. Maybe even stacked together with the others for greater height. And ALSO it seems that this extended end of the Ladder on the picture also functions as the drawbar (shaft? dont know the right term for it in english) for the horses. At least for the two wheeled cart. Not the 4 wheelers. So that would be extremely smart. Having 3 functions for 1 piece of equipment. Thats saving weight 1:1. Awesome. Im not 100% sure if this was the case, but it would totally make sense to me and thats how i would do it. The people then were much more practical then we are today. Most of the items of the time had more than one usage. Alternative functions. And were durable. No "planned obszolescense" there.. Ah, what a time :)

Very interesting. I play fantasy wargames but with a historical theme, my army is sort of Holy Roman Empire / Landsknecht based and I have been delaying modelling my baggage train, this has given me the kick up the bum to do it!!

Excellent again Kevin covering something that is rarely ever though about a lot of the pack horses you talk about I think could have been mules they carry more weight less fussy on fodder less highly strung a lot of medieval pictures show mules . used by the British army in Burma ....

So so interesting Kevin 😀 I guess, as well as men going out clearing the way for the baggage train, they would've gone out foraging for supplies as well to top things up. I wonder how much moss they took on campaign for their privy sticks...and how many privies, only for the nobles though, I should think.

Sweet, cool information Kevin.

Imagine how long those baggage trains would have been also go’s to show how many arrows were actually used in battles !! 😂👍😊 fantastic content kev the bowman 😂

Excellent presentation, love all the stuff. Very authentic. Plus you can feel the enthusiasm. May I say one to many "Yeah?" ... 8 x "Yeah?"! I feel it would have gone better with less of these conformations. But made sure I gave a like.

Another brilliant window into the ingenuity and thoroughness of Medieval folk. I immediately thought of Napoleon's sending his armies down different routes and then converging on the enemy. Makes me wonder if the COSSAC staff simply dusted off Edward III's plans when they were devising Operation Overlord ... Do you know if they went so far as to have standardized loads for the carts or horses?

Brilliant Kevin thank you Edward was a clever fellow .... Armies can't fight without the guys in the rear with all the gear lol

My apologies Sir, for my previous comments. I take it back. Keep up the good work.

And we forgot this lesson when faced with the logistical genius of the Ho Chi Min trail during the vietnam war. The NVA used bicycles to haul relatively immense loads through the jungle, eliminating the need for roads completely. Heck even the “trails” themselves could be quickly vanished after a very short time of unuse

War logistics in mediaeval times were always mind boggling for me

Great video Kevin, keep Up the good work

I really appreciate your video ,s.keep up the good work

Love your channel good sir , just stumbled upon it, looking forward to more history lessons. I’ve often wondered about the logistics after a massive battle, did the winning army have to pick up all the dead and salvage any equipment ?

The greatest story teller since lindybeige!!

Love all your videos

Last night I watched a video about an unmanned mini tank that can be programmed to follow along behind an infantryman carrying baggage, mortars etc. and it made me think of this.

thank yew kevin. thumbs up. 1/2 a million arrows. edward lll really was a great warrior king. much respect master archer and historian. i've seen baggage trains turned into circles at night like a fort. i don't remember the fights name but a army perhaps hungarian area were persued by mongols so put the train in a circle. the mongols were shooting them up being expert archers. the mongols thinned their ranks in one area making it look like an opening. the men of the train thought they'd slip away and left the protection of the train, but the mongols did it on purpose and tricked them into annihilation. in the old west cowboys made the wagon trains into defensive circles also. operating within supply distance of the coast is a good point. in a way you are a teacher of war theory. especially i enjoy the tactical side you present. maps and models are a lot of work also. visual are good in military school. i could see you teaching at a military college. in ww1 models were made of the terrain at vimy ridge. but again like school. you must have read a lot of books to know so many minor facts that bring detail to life. we wouldn't want to run out of moss would we. mud must have been overpowering at times. i read one of the kahns was helping his men push a stuck cart and had a heart attack. that he'd push with the men would cause his men to love him. thumbs up again kevin your excellent presentation has triggered all kinds of imaginings as you can see. an odd fact but yesterday in norway a man plead guilty to killing five with his bow and wounding four.since i got covids four months ago i have not shot very much so i shot 20 shots yesterday with poor results and shaky. felt a bit weak. today tried again'. i'm having to learn again. it takes constant practice. forgive me kevin i'm going on. have a good night. gare

First video of your I have seen. Good show.

Another great video!

I might have to get some moss on a stack, cost of living and all that:) Great vid.

LOGISTICS!! My newest favorite topic! Second and first only to battles and strategy. It aint just food and bullets! 😃

Neatly trimmed hedges, low cut branches removed and five thousand peoples used moss. I daresay a blind man on a galloping Horse could find the English Army on the March.

I really enjoy your videos, but not only did medieval armies bring these items of which you mentioned, but they also secured these items from conquered territories and villages. They also cut down trees while in enemy territory. Foragers were a vital part of the baggage train. Family members of some of the fighting soldiers, i.e. their young sons not quite of fighting age would forage for berries, mushrooms, and hunt game.

Hey Kev I'm absoluttly blown by Your stories keep up the good work it seems that even thows "crayzy Polish " are listening to U'r Channel

How much did it cost for a (single) ticket on the train from Harfleur to Calais, stopping overnight at Azincourt? I bet it was a lot cheaper than today!

This is the only guy with history in his name and ACTUALLY does history. Also he needs to team up with Jason from Modern History I'm looking at you History Channel. It wouldn't be too much ask if you did history AND your TV shows

Liking Videos I'm always looking for channels that talk about historical stuff

Good video. Thanks.

How much of the wagon train would have been barrels of various kinds of alcohol, I wonder? Sure, they had their canteens (costrel, I think you called it in the previous video) for water, but I imagine beer was part of the daily ration much like it was in later years. Also, I doubt any nobles would have been satisfied with mere water when they could bring wine with them and I suspect would have their own supplies of better beer or ale as well. Maybe even some cider or perry depending on the era and where a particular regiment as from.

It always surprised me how much of the baggage trains were taken up by the washer women other such necessary groups. In medieval war upto The American War Between The States

Very interesting! Not something you hear about yet as Napoleon said... an army marches on it's stomach. Add to that boots... etc!

Gosh, I'd expect those little cart teams of oxen to be extremely vulnerable to ambush. Set up a hundred local men, a few dozen quickly kill off the ones clearing the road ahead and the rest come in from behind. The loot gained would also be enormous.

Sorry if my english is Bad. When it comes to logistic miracles, one can also mention the Polish light cavalry from the first half of the 17th century, i.e. the so-called Lisowczycy (so named after the first commander, Aleksander Lisowski). They were set up as a kind of special unit that was not paid or provided by the state, and they could not take carts or servants that did not have a horse with them. Their task was to wreak havoc and fear behind enemy lines by breaking the supply lines of the enemy army and intimidating the civilian population, and in this they had no equal, because as unpaid soldiers they had to earn for themselves by stealing, plundering, etc. During one of the war with the Great Duchy of Moscow they had ventured very far to the east, as evidenced by the notes in the diary of one of them, when over a huge cone they found a golden statue of a naked, fat woman and smashed it to divide the treasure among themselves. Presumably it was a Buddha statue. During the wars, they were an invaluable help, but during peace, as an unpaid army, they did in their homeland the same as in the enemy's territory, so the Polish king, Sigismund III, sent them as a "gift" to the emperor to Germany, to help him in the Thirty Years' War. They were so effective there that when Emperor Napoleon took over these territories, German mothers scared the children with "Polish Cossacks". When Lisowczycy was created, they were composed mainly of poorer nobles with no chance of inheriting their property and sentenced to banishment, but during the campaign they replenished the losses with local volunteers, so you could find Russians, Muscovites, Asians, Germans, Swedes and other nationalities. Everyone had to have at least two horses (if he lost all of them, he had to find one), melee weapons, firearms or a bow, and light armor, all on their own.

Ive read that, for the US Army, combat arms takes up about 20 - 25% of the total Army personnel. I wonder, assuming that is close to accurate, if that is a similar ratio for militaries in other times.