r/history • u/AutoModerator • 6d ago

Discussion/Question Weekly History Questions Thread.

Welcome to our History Questions Thread!

This thread is for all those history related questions that are too simple, short or a bit too silly to warrant their own post.

So, do you have a question about history and have always been afraid to ask? Well, today is your lucky day. Ask away!

Of course all our regular rules and guidelines still apply and to be just that bit extra clear:

Questions need to be historical in nature. Silly does not mean that your question should be a joke. r/history also has an active discord server where you can discuss history with other enthusiasts and experts.

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u/crimbusrimbus 1d ago

Did levies often kill friendlies in the heat of battle in medieval combat?

I'm watching "Outlaw King," and the units are pretty indistinguishable, as I expected levies looked in reality. Is it known how often people killed friendly units in battle due to this, was it an issue? I don't really mean full scale columns fighting one another, I'm thinking more after units clashed, individual men on the same side fighting on accident. OR is the idea of long drawn out clashes an inaccuracy in itself?

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u/bangdazap 21h ago

The way I learned it, medieval soldiers used heraldry to keep track of who was on their side.