So he took over or
demolished their adulterine castles and restored the older
obligation of every freeman to serve in defense of the realm, the
fyrd, which was a military draft. At the King's call, barons were
to appear in mail suit and helmet with sword and horse, knights
and freeholders with 213s.[16 marks] of rent or chattels in coat
of mail with shield and lance, freeholders of 133s.[10 marks] with
lance and hauberk [coat of armor] and iron headpiece, burgesses
and poorer freemen with lance and headpiece and wambais, and such
as millers with pike and leather shirt. The spiritual and other
baronies paid a commutation for personal service, called
"scutage", at the rate of 27s. per knight's fee. Barons and
knights paid according to their knight's fee a scutage ranging
from 10s. to 27s. As of 1181, the military obligations of villeins
were defined. The master of a household was responsible for every
villein in his household. Others had to form groups of ten and
swear obedience to the chief of the group. The sheriff was
responsible for maintaining lists of men liable for military
service and procuring supplies. This national militia could be
used to maintain the peace. The sheriff could call upon the
military array of the county as a posse comitatus to take a band
of thieves into custody or to quell disorder. For foreign wars,
Henry decided to use a mercenary army and a mercenary fleet.
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