How much did a middle age archer get paid?

Answer 1

That depends on the precise time period and the archer's status. Some archers were mercenary troops from Wales or Flanders; others were permanent members of a knight's retinue; others were royal archers employed by the king; others were simply ordinary working peasants called up for military service.

When performing castle guard duty in the 12th century, a serjant (freeman) archer received 1 penny per day - a knight received 8 pennies a day while doing castle guard duty, which was universally hated.

In 1136 the king's archers (men who went hunting deer and wild boar with the king and also carried the king's bow) received 5 pence per day; at the same date a royal cook got 1.5 pennies per day.

These were solid silver pennies about 20 mm across and of very high silver content, so a single penny was worth a considerable amount in today's terms.

Answer 2

The wages for common soldiers such as archers varied by time and place. As an example, however, at Dover castle in England in the 13th century archers and spear men were paid two pennies daily, as well as room and board in the garrison. Crossbowmen, considered elite troops, were paid more. At Dover this was 3 pennies per day, in other locations more.