Soldier

A soldier is an individual paid to fight in battle for another. Typically a soldier's equipment would be of lesser quality than a lord's, but they might supplement their equipment if on campaign.

Some soldiers would fight with melee weapons (sword, axe, spear, pike etc) and others would be armed with missile weapons (musket bow, longbow, crossbow, sling etc). These weapons varied depending on time period and culture.

Some medieval soldiers were required to serve for a limited amount of time for their lord, other were mercenaries who would fight for as long as they were paid.

Soldiers in Re-Enactment

In general, many of the people who do combat re-enactments will portray soldiers. Whilst a strict ratio is uncommon in some groups, others deliberately limit the amount of people portraying units above the general rank and file.