Throughout the late medieval period the town and port of Southampton fulfilled many functions as a centre of trade, society, and military organisation, although the latter is often overlooked. The town has many unexplored aspects that indicate its military organisation. The first aspect is the fortifications the town constructed for their protection. The second is the troops raised to fulfil the town's military activities at home and away. Third, the structured schemes designed for town defence by the civic leadership and the king. The military equipment employed in the town defence and by the townsmen is a fourth point of military preparations. These themes all indicate a strong military function that Southampton played in the kingdom's wars, both domestic and foreign.