Yeoman

A Yeoman is not just some petty officer dude in the U.S. Navy as most Americans only know the term and this association with it. The Yeoman comes from 'Geongra Mann' from the days when England was divided into 7 different kingdoms but finally united under King Egbert. But it truly was King Alfred who was to bring the different kingdoms into a union to fight against Vikings. It was the creation of the England's first navy and first army (the fyrd) that would have brought in a new military prowess never known before in the earlier saxon-kingdoms since the time of the legendary King Arthur and his defeat by the West Saxons. The earliest possible traces may be that of Cornelius Tacticus' 'Germania' written in 98 AD describing 100 youth or young men who are chosen out of every 'district' and what was once a mere number is now a title of distinction. These youth were light footed and fast, they supported the cavalry. Just as the 'yeoman archer' who during the Anglo-Scottish wars and the infamous Hundred Years War supported the man who was mounted on a horse (a knight). Yeoman means 'district+young+man', which is really 'young countryman', a district is equivalent to a hundred which comprises the shires or canton.

Where does the Yeoman fit in the U.S. Navy? Well, sorry fellow yanks, we borrowed it from the British. Who borrowed it from the castles of the Middle Ages. The term probably came into the use for the Royal Navy sometime around the era of King Edward III who was the real father of the Royal Navy, even if Alfred the Great started one; it didn't amount to much. The word that we all know as 'Yeoman' certainly existed by King Henry VIII's time. It is apparent by looking at old drawings of King Edward's III fleet they have aft and fore castles. Undoubtedly 'Yeomen' are long historically tied to providing service for a king or a high nobleman, such as a Lord or a Baron. It is also with archery that we most note the 'Yeoman' for (an ancient form of artillery) and without a doubt with King Edward's III Hundred Years War and the advent of a formidable
navy we see the term 'yeoman' used on the ships at this time.

So, yes, a yeoman does have historical ties to nautical wars just as they have a history to land warfare, the defense of castles or manors, as well protecting their lord or king. Today's Yeomen of the Guard, The Yeomen Warders of the Tower of London reflect a history that ties back into the days of feudalism with the Yeomen of the Crown, Yeomen of the Chamber, and the term King's Yeoman. The stories of Robin Hood, Gamelyn, Adam Bell, and Chaucer's Canterbury Tales prologue gives us the first description of a 'Yeoman'.