This paper aims to compare militia organizations in two peripheral late medieval kingdoms: Portugaland Sweden. In the Portuguese case, the «besteiros do conto» (crossbowmen) militia is the object of study,whereas in Sweden, the rural «uppbåd» peasant militia is analyzed. In this study, these two objects are comparedin terms of origins, organization, leadership, relation to state or royal power, forms of service reimbursement,strategies of recruitment and training, campaign performance, estimated professionalism and impact on martialsociety. The aim is further to assess on what points we find similar developments, but also how they differ andthe possible reasons for it.