I'm becoming very interested in learning more about the food distribution chain for circa 1470 armies. One of the Osprey books touches a bit on the role of foragers in the distribution chain, but there's precious little there.

I'd like to know more about these topics. Can you recommend books to read that address food procurement and supply for an army? For that matter, what has been written about feeding a medieval army? This is never addressed in the cookbooks, books of manners or running of a household. I know Christine de Pisan talks a bit about what stores to lay in for a seige, but that's the other side of what I need to know.

I'm willing to do the footwork if someone will throw me a lead.

Thanks-

Gwen

Is Mr. Gravett still at the Tower and can I email him there? Maybe if I write to someone who refers to these men, I can track down the sources they use.

Scurriers, Prickers, Afore riders - these are the light cav/mounted infantry/scouts that commonly accompanied English and Continental armies. You would know a Burgundian varient known as Coustillers - more of a medium cavalry that filled out the rear ranks of formations of men at arms, but also employed in the scouting/foraging role.

A member of the contingent London sent to Barnet to fight for Edward had this to say about them (paraphrased from memory - you can find it in the Boardman book) "These scurriers and aforeriders are good to ride before the footmen, and eat up the provisions and forage for themselves, and take billets - but little else. When comes the day of battle, it is the Household men and Feedmen in who is placed all the trust...". Sounds like the typical complaint of the infantryman about the cavalryman throughout the ages.

If I can find the exact quote this weekend, I will post it in it's entirety. It unfortunately does not adress the question of how the foraging was organised - it only tells you about the 'characters' who were doing it. I believe I read somewhere that the Burgundian system consisted of a clerk buying provisions from the locals at a set price, accompanied by an escort of a few lances, with carts arranged to carry the supplies. I will try to research what I can.