Assize of Arms
England [1181]
Quick Summary
The Assize of Arms, issued in 1181 by King Henry II of England, was a measure designed to organize a local militia. It stipulated the arms and equipment that every free man should possess, based on his income from land. This initiative aimed to ensure a defense force that could be utilized for purposes such as repelling invasions, quelling rebellions, or maintaining peace within the realm. The Assize of Arms can be seen as a revival of earlier Anglo-Saxon military principles, like the fyrd.1
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