Yeomen

"From horseback, these Yeomen bring death across the battlefield to where it's needed most."

—Description of the veteran peasants of Bretonnia in Total War: Warhammer.^[4]

Hombres de Armas a Caballo por Des Hanley (2) — A Mounted Yeoman of Bretonnia

Yeomen are the elite peasant warriors of Bretonnia, acting as both leaders of men-at-arms companies and also as a branch of light cavalry.

Role

"The man seemed undaunted by anything, and he stood glaring at the approaching enemy, his thick-bladed sword held in his right hand. Even though the weapon was missing its tip and bore more than a hint of rust, that the Yeoman was allowed to bear a sword at all was testament to the level of trust placed in him."

—A Bretonnian peasant witnesses a Yeoman.^[5]

Mesnadero por Pat Loboyko — A veteran Yeoman

Many knights of Bretonnia are dismissive of the achievements of Yeomen, arguing that the term "elite peasant warrior" is nothing more than an oxymoron. However, whilst it is true that the nobility are far better equipped, the Yeomen are almost as skilled as 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 themselves 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, such as missions that give little glory but far more risk.^[1a]

As they hold such privileged positions as head gaolers and militia serjeants, to become a Yeoman is the highest rank to which a peasant of Bretonnia can aspire. It takes many years of dedicated service for a man-at-arms to be promoted into a Yeoman, and even then only an act of bravery on the battlefield will guarantee his ascension. Though no peasant may ride a Bretonnian Warhorse into battle, favoured 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.^[2a]

All Bretonnian 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 to a lord or liege. The real truth is that it is almost unheard-of for a peasant to be elevated in this way, for the Bretonnian nobility have no wish to sully their ranks with low-born commoners.^[2a]

Yeomen Life

"It's bloody work, but it beats breaking your back in the fields."

—Anonymous Yeoman.^[3]

Wh main brt mounted yeomen — A Mounted Yeoman on the battlefield as depicted in *Total War: Warhammer*.

Yeomen are often better disciplined than their newly knighted counterparts, having at least seen a battle and whetted their weapons.^[3a]

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.^[3a]

Wh main brt mounted yeomen archers — A Mounted Yeoman Archer as depicted in *Total War: Warhammer*.

Yeomen and Bretonnian 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 socioeconomic orders of Bretonnia. However, this does not extend beyond the battlefield -- a Yeoman can shout at a knight and most knights will not take offence, recognising 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.^[3a]

Yeomen take no vows and have no code of conduct, so they can do whatever it takes to accomplish their tasks and come out alive. This also means they can scavenge corpses, so Yeomen often help themselves to the weapons, armour, and money of fallen foes. They consider this their due, since they are not paid much and often have only what equipment they can buy or scrounge for themselves.^[3a]

Because 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 common soldiers and men-at-arms around him, knowing these men will then help him if he needs aid.^[3a]

Types of Yeomen

Mounted Yeoman - Mounted Yeomen are the most commonly fielded Yeomen in Bretonnian armies, provided with horses and armed with swords, spears and bows.

Yeoman Wardens - Yeoman Wardens are the grizzled "serjeants" or leaders of both men-at-arms and Mounted Yeoman companies.

Yeoman Craftsmen - Yeomen Craftsmen are the overseers of peasant-manned Trebuchets.

Notable Yeomen

Geoffrey Whistler - Geoffrey Whistler was a Yeoman known for his size and strength, along with a habit of whistling cheerful tunes as he killed in battle.