Blackthorn said:Archers are people too!
Again, read back, and there's a distinct difference between a militia archer (someone who has turned up for annual service with a bow or a crossbow) and a proffessional (a seasoned veteran who also shoots a crossbow or a warbow). The proffesionals will have been sparring with other troops, and seen their fair share of battlefields; siege warfare was a 12th-13thC staple, and a man who couldn't fight once the walls were reached weren't much use. Therefore expect veteran proffesionals to wear armour, wield shortarms and be about as useful as their infantry compatriots in melee.
The first troops Richard I raised for the Third Crusade were mercenary crossbowmen, because an experienced commander knows that a bunch of well-seasoned hard-hitters with bows can form the backbone to a decent army. Pretty much the evolution of warfare led to the ranged troops taking up more and more of the battlefield until they took it all.
Maybe people will be more willing to listen to you if you did not speak like a massive ass.