Peasants are the budget infantry pwnerers. JHI is the next step up (able to kill swords as well as spears).

However, both die to cav. Catholic peasants are the most OP things next to random (light) cav charges. Which is simple ridiculous. BTW, I find it funny that archer militia/peasant archers can beat spear militias in melee. Spears are virtually useless except as fodder.