Commissions of Array were an obsolete method of raising troops revived by King Charles during the Bishop's Wars and used again on the outbreak of the First Civil War after Parliament passed the Militia Ordinance in an attempt to gain control of the armed forces.
From June 1642, Commissions were sent by the King to named gentry in every county empowering them to summon all men aged from 15 to 60 from whom fit candidates would be chosen for military training in the service of the King. Those appointed Commissioners of Array formed a nucleus of Royalist county administrators and military organisors.
The question of whether to obey Parliament's Militia Ordinance or the King's Commission of Array became an early test of allegiance for nobles and gentry.