A Commission of Array was used to raise troops for a foreign expedition during this time, while various Militia Acts directed that ( in theory ) the entire male population who owned property and lands over a certain amount in value, was required to keep arms at home and periodically train or report to musters.
32.
On 13 August 1642, in an attempt to defeat the anti-Royalist propagandists, Bourchier published the text of his commission of array, and issued a statement to the county of Devon that he had " undertaken nothing contrary to the lawes of this kingdom, nor prejudicial or hurtful to any that shall observe it ".
33.
Cokayne received few commissions under Henry V, although they did include the important commissions of array for Warwickshire in May 1418 and March 1419 . He is not known to have played a part in Henry V's campaigns in France, although his son, also John, did serve in France under Richard Grey, 4th Baron Grey of Codnor.
34.
As national politics became increasingly divided during the 1450s, Oxford did not immediately take sides, although he was a member of the Council while the commissions of array in Essex, and by May 1460 his eldest son, Sir Aubrey Vere, who had recently married Anne, the daughter of Humphrey Stafford, 1st Duke of Buckingham, was reported to be great with the Queen.
