Yeoman

Yeomen are the elite peasant warriors of Bretonnia. Many knights are dismissive of their achievements, arguing that "elite peasant warrior" has a similar meaning to "large mouse." However, whilst it is true that the nobility are far better equipped, the Yeomen are almost as skilled as most Knights Errant, and they take justified pride in their martial abilities. Indeed, the overwhelming majority of Yeomen are dedicated professionals because it is their dedication that has distinguished them from the mass of Men-at-Arms around them. Yeomen, in return, receive mounts and are used for scouting missions that are unsuited to knights (too little glory, too much risk).

As they hold such privileged positions as head gaolers and militia Serjeants, to become a yeoman is the highest rank to which a peasant can aspire. It takes many years of dedicated service for a man-at-arms to be so promoted, and even then only an act of bravery on the battlefield will guarantee his ascension. Though no peasant may ride the steeds of the Bretonnian lords, favored yeomen are permitted to ride to battle on draught horses. Such troops will often scout ahead of the main army and keep the knights informed of enemy movements — a dangerous task, and one which earns no honour, so it is a task that the nobility believe is best performed by peasants. All men-at-arms dream of one day becoming a yeoman, possibly because of the folk stories that tell of yeomen being raised to knighthood after performing a great service or some brave deed. The truth is that it is almost unheard of for a peasant to be elevated in this way – the nobility have no wish to sully their ranks with low-born commoners.

Yeomen are often better disciplined than their newly knighted counterparts, having at least seen a battle and whetted their weapons. Some yeomen have taken up sword and shield and become knights errant, using their skills to eventually earn knighthood and renown, so long as they can keep their low birth a secret.

Yeomen and knights have a strange relationship. Yeomen are peasants, of course, so they should defer to the knights, who are noble-born. But both are warriors, and on the battlefield it is often the yeoman who steps up and defeats a foe while the knight is hampered by codes of conduct. As a result, most knights have a grudging respect for yeomen, and allow them a level of familiarity otherwise unseen between the classes.

However, this does not extend beyond the battlefield – a yeoman can shout at a knight and most knights will not take offense, recognizing a warning or rebuke from a fellow combatant and putting the comment to good use, whereas outside of battle, the same comment may result in the yeoman‘s death.

As a result of their own low birth, yeomen understand other peasants far better than knights do, and can use this to their advantage. A smart yeoman makes friends with the soldiers and men-at-arms around him, knowing these men will then help him if he needs aid.

Source

 * Warhammer Armies: Bretonnia (7th Edition) -- pg. 54