simple home defense.

[Pete Grey]

Just a thought...in the 9th century, during the viking raids the saxon burhs were mainly defended by the fyrd, a militia lightly armed often just with sharpen hoes and axes etc. only a few had swords or spears.

There was not what could be called a full time army but one could be called upon to fight in large campaign.

A few people, even with improvised weapons will deter a mob, mobs are usually cowards who would rather go elsewhere than risk injury.