What were bandits like during the Middle Ages?

Thanks for the A2A I hate to say it, but it depends Most small-time gangs of the period were, as you say, highwaymen, the Robin Hood-type. At the time, there weren't a lot of roads in the world. read more

In Europe's middle ages, there were barons with their own armies all over the place. Bandits were marginal and would often get recruited by one side. And it depended heavily on how strong or how weak the central power was. read more

On the seaside, there have always been lands of pirates, but at the end of middle ages, they were supported by their states. During the 100 years wars in France, a group of 30 people (thirty) could besieged Paris, one of the biggest city of medieval Europe. read more

In England, bandits were more likely to be simple ruffians (but of course noblemen often robbed and stole as well, see the Neville-Percy or Courtenay-Bonville disputes), but again the lower classes are the most affected, as a baron or knight could afford armed guards to protect him on the road while the lower orders were defenseless, and often had no recourse for legal action or government protection. read more