Editing Medieval Infantry (section)

===Sergeants===
Full time common-born warriors retained by a noble. A lordling will find a big strong guy from his peasantry (often one of the better Levies) and tell him that he has a job for him. He gets more training than a levy does, a regular wage and room and board as well as better arms and armour (usually helmet and some chainmail early, eventually giving way to brigandines and breastplates later on, or just a gambeson if you're unlucky and/or your knight is poor). In peace, having a big strong dude who's good in a fight and owes everything to you is a good asset to have to collect taxes, guard gates, go out on patrol, provide general security, handle criminals, etc, and he can train up levies. In times of war, these guys can be your heavy infantry and oversee levies. They’re the first step below professional soldiers in standing armies.

And yes, the modern NCO rank is named after them. There is a similar feudal rank called a ''serjeanty'', but they're only related by the root word of "servant." Sergeants are commoners serving as muscle and paid a wage, ''serjeanties'' was like being made a landlord in exchange for providing the King with some niche service in perpetuity, like [[Magical realm|rubbing his feet]].