Groups of commoners, fighting on foot with inexpensive weapons, did not completely disappear with the ascendance of the mounted man-at-arms. Many areas still maintained the obligation for all free (and sometimes even for serf) men to equip themselves with weapons and train regularly, as did virtually all cities. Compliance varied greatly. The English yeomen, Swiss pikemen, Spanish peones, Scottish foot, and the various citiy militias maintained effective combat skills throughout the period. These commoner infantry troops often (but not always) defeated mounted warriors. The city militias were very effective when defending their walls, and often met mounted knights on the battlefield and won. Many of the other surviving militias were more for social purposes and usually got slaughtered on the battlefield.