living in 16th century england

Chapter 69

Matthew has always believed that logistics is the magic weapon to win the war.Soldiers, of course, have to eat well.

Other than that, it's weapons and armor.

Longbowmen in this era generally had light helmets that exposed their ears, but they would wrap their heads with cloth before wearing them.On the one hand, it can avoid the friction of the helmet, on the other hand, it can also reduce the shock when the head is hit.

Because it needs to draw the bow and reach the ears, only this kind of helmet is not in the way, and the hood can also protect the ears.

Then there is leather armor, because it is cheap.Those who have a little money may wear chain armor on the premise that it does not hinder archery, so it may be half.

The last one is the soft armor used as the inner lining. Adding some padding to cotton and linen products can reduce blunt injuries and slightly reduce the probability of slashing and stabbing injuries.

No matter what type of arms, they will wear a layer of this kind of soft armor, whether it is outer chain armor or plate armor, it cannot be worn close to the flesh.And there is a huge problem with metal armor - it gets hotter when it's hot, and colder when it's cold.No one can hold it without cloth armor.

The last is the smock, the smock is very important ~ to distinguish between the enemy and ourselves.There is insulation.Of course, the cloak is also essential.However, many people will feel that it is in the way, and it is not sure if it is used to make cloth bags.

If you wear so much armor in a hot area, you run the risk of dying from heat stroke.Therefore, longbowmen who lack metal armor will at least be more comfortable.

Despite limited protection, the results of the years of war show that English longbowmen suffered very low casualties.Whether it was the Black Prince, Edward III, or any other English generals, they never intentionally let their soldiers die. They tried every means to make the longbowmen play to their own advantages time and time again, resulting in astonishing casualties time and time again.

The archers will not only set up a line of defense against horses, but also participate in close combat with strength beyond ordinary people.If you think a longbowman without arrows is easy to deal with, there is a high probability that you will be shot to death by various heavy weapons. ~Because of less armor, they are faster and more agile than armored warriors.

Matthew will of course give the 250 levies enough equipment.For example, replace the mallet with a hammer.

From a certain point of view, money is combat power.

Nobles and rich people have enough nutrition and protein, have enough time to hone their martial arts, and have more gold coins to buy weapons and equipment.

Therefore, they are not born strong, but just born rich.

Matthew didn't want these fellow villagers wearing cloth armor to become cannon fodder on the battlefield, and finally became the enemy's bragging exploits.

Those who are best at designing armor can only be those who are good at fighting.

Plymouth is professional enough and leisurely enough soldiers, only those vault guards are left.They all shoot arrows.In other words, any man in England knows how to shoot arrows, including Matthew.

Because this is an express legal requirement.

~When any boy is seven years old, his family must prepare a small bow for him.

Otherwise, you may have to squat.

As the age and strength increase, the equipment will also be updated.But only those who are good at bows and arrows will try their best to get themselves a yew longbow.

Therefore, the treasury guards have an extra job, which is to design a set of special weapons and equipment for longbowmen, the kind that minimizes "money considerations".

That's right, that's what Matthew said.

Dinner time is an important communication time for Andrew and his son.The father and son will take a sip and wait for the meal.

Andrew: "Matthew, many people have come to me recently, and many people have expressed concern."

Matthew: "Worried? Worried about what?"

Andrew: "Now the situation is getting more and more tense. Although there is no declaration of war, we must make more preparations. They feel that it is not enough."

Matthew smiled and said, "Could it be possible for the French to come and land?"

When Andrew saw Matthew's appearance, his voice was a little high: "...are you underestimating the enemy?"

"Boy! Of course the French will land, they have sacked Plymouth before!"

Matthew was stunned: "...?"

"When? Why haven't I heard of it?"

Andrew hesitated for a moment: "...I heard it was more than 100 years ago."

Matthew: "..."

Andrew took a puff of cigarette: "If you want me to say, that Smith should be hanged to show the public. Originally, I planned to arrange the artillery in the port, at least I still have a fight. Now, if it comes, what do we do to stop it?" ?”

Andrew is now a stand on Plymouth Council.What local tyrants fear most is looting by the army.

Matthew is on the contrary. He believes that it is a hundred times better to concentrate the donkeys for mobile operations than to spend money and money to build forts.If the French don't come, everyone will be happy.

These years want to concentrate ships and troops, protracted.Because there are not many ships in the navies of various countries, civilian ships and merchant ships must be recruited.The preparation of various materials is time-consuming.It is estimated that the little donkey will have time to go to Danzig and come back.

Matthew thought that it would be good to just find some people to keep an eye on the movement of the French port.The fishermen will be happy to earn extra money, since they're going to France to smuggle salt anyway, which is convenient.

Money is power.To organize such a large group of people, it took Matthew no effort at all - 2 minutes at most.Let some volunteer servant do it and be done.He just pays for gold coins - the cost is less than 30 per month.

There is also the purchase of grain, which will also greatly reduce the French's war preparations.

This is called lag and vision loss.Once war is declared, you can call the door directly if necessary.Repair the fort?The ship is a fort, and it can still move.

As for whether the French will hide from the sky and find a wild place to gather secretly?Just look at the smocks of this era.European armies these days don't have this kind of thinking.Even the British army later, they were all red.

What kind of aristocrats are you to stealthily to rob?
However, there is a possibility of leakage.

Matthew thought for a while: "There is still a batch of purple shirt bows made in Spain in the port freight yard, which can be distributed if necessary..."

Andrew was stunned. He didn't have much impression of the plan to hoard war supplies, and he was at the level of only knowing that there was such a thing.

"...Watts? Hand out? How many?"

Matthew: "One for each man, maybe...not enough."

How many people are there in Plymouth right now?

Including the population of nearby farms and monasteries, there are about 8000 people.There are 1 women, more than 7000 for the elderly and weak, and more than 200 middle-aged men who can shoot bows.Nearly two thousand of them were Matthew's homeless.More than 100 masons went to Greenwich, and more than [-] worked in the Isles of Scilly.

How much is the port of Plymouth?It is estimated that there are more than 4 people living in the city.Men of prime age have a maximum of 1500.

Andrew was in a hurry: "Xie Te! You prodigal... How much does this cost?"

Yew wood bows are expensive for commoners, but they don't cost much.The worst quality is Polish, about 5 gold coins per hundred.This kind of rubbish Matthew is sold.

Spain and Switzerland, ranging from 10 to 15 gold coins.It's like that in the yard.Calculated on 15 gold coins, 3 shillings each.

The best are Italian.Matthew did not, but Henry VIII should have quite a few.Because there are records, this belongs to England's strategic reserve level ~ Florence imports.

The bow material becomes the body of the bow, and then it is equipped with bow strings and high-quality armor-piercing arrows.A complete pair of longbows should be a few shillings larger, ten shillings is not too much.

A rich peasant receives 3 gold coins a year, which is 60 shillings.So a good pair of yew longbows might kill a rich peasant's income for a month or two.

Matthew smiled and said, "Don't worry, dad. Except for the homeless, most people have some weapons. Even an elm bow can definitely shoot people to death."

Andrew: "...it seems to be the case."

Matthew smiled and said, "So when the French come, we just need to shoot two arrows."

Andrew always felt that something was wrong: "...What if there are more French people here?"

Matthew was overjoyed: "Ha... Then I have to shoot two more arrows."

Andrew scolded: "What nonsense, it's so easy! Then they will just run away."

Matthew laughed: "So just find a way to keep them from running away."

Andrew thought for a while: "...militia?"

Matthew: "Prepare the militia... You can make a law telling them that those who escape will be hanged... It's better to be organized than a mess of loose sand. Even if they escape, they can run more quickly. The most important thing is to tell them that once war is declared , and each Frenchman's head is worth a guinea."

Andrew: "... offering a reward?"

Matthew smiled and said, "Although no one knows whether the French will come or not, we should be prepared."

Andrew took another drag on his cigarette: "The parliament doesn't have many gold coins, so it's probably better for everyone to pay."

Matthew was thoughtful, and then he lit his own smoking pot.

Capitalists will naturally strangle latecomers and exploit smaller property owners. This is the instinct of capital.

The local tyrants in Plymouth will only accumulate more and more wealth.Any educated capitalist must first know: where are the gold coins?Then I figured out a way to turn these gold coins into my own.

Matthew once thought about undercutting the price of their goods, but immediately gave up... This is too bad a reputation, and it does not conform to his principles-reputation.

"Parliament's payment of rewards is very in line with everyone's status in Plymouth and can maintain the authority of Parliament."

Of course Andrew agreed.

"So, if the council is really short of money, I can lend it to Plymouth, and only charge a reasonable interest rate. We can't let those who have killed the enemy lose a single gold coin. This is the most terrible thing."

The door opened, and Daisy's voice was loud: "...you smoked another pot? You know how to smoke all day...why don't you learn something from your father?... It's time to eat!"

Andrew: "..."

(End of this chapter)