Quote Originally Posted by Ciddler
But you'd also have to think about the fact that back then the average male was smaller than the average male today. Their eating habits were also different and they probably weren't as healthy as we are today and only lived to the age of 40 or so.
On the other hand, the fighting men may not have been that small. I vaguely recall reading about the skeletons of English longbowmen - six footers with oversized forearms. The report likened them to the professional rugby or football players of their day - big, powerful men. Plus I suspect they might have eaten a fair amount of meat and other food - more than the average peasant at least.

This probably goes for most knights and men-at-arms too.