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War bow string theory
staveshaver:
Thanks for the feedback fellas ,so could we surmise that putting away their bows in the rain is a myth? it is silly when you think about the idea. if such were the case Braveheart just would have attacked in the rain ! LOL
bow-toxo:
--- Quote from: staveshaver on April 27, 2009, 01:31:50 pm --- I have read that at the slightest hint of rain, English warbowmen would unbrace their bows and call it a day , if this is true could it be possible that the strings they used were gut? In a beef culture the material would be plentiful, and cheep. it is more than strong enough and it may explain why no strings were found on the mary rose .This is pure speculation.I am sure some of you can debunk this theory easily but it is a thought, I am learning more since I found this forum than in my whole life . I have been a bowyer for half my life and made a lot of long bows but my next project will be a war bow.
--- End quote ---
Some ot the Roman period arrows from Denmark had nocks a little largrer than the usual 1/8" string, but there is no record of mediaeval European gut strings, period. The military archers did keep their bow strings dry, maybe to protect the 'waterglewe' coating mentioned by Smythe. In the early Middle Ages, strings mentioned in the records were linen and silk, silk being much preferred, but more expensive. Later, hemp came into use. The quote Triton posted [thanks !] is from just a little earlier than Ascham's time, when war bows like the MR ones were of hemp. Even though that quote is from France, there is very little disagreement with Ascham. If you ase interested in Tudor bowstrings, I suggest you read my post on the subject or the one reprinted despite threats to "shoot it down bigtime." It wasn't shot down.
Rod:
--- Quote from: staveshaver on April 27, 2009, 01:31:50 pm --- I have read that at the slightest hint of rain, English warbowmen would unbrace their bows and call it a day
--- End quote ---
That's news to me, despite the account of men keeping their strings under their hats at Crecy.
There are accounts enough of fights in inclement weather.
What about Towton, for example?
If the string was an unwaxed spare, I might put it under my hat rather than subject it to a soaking, not for fear of it breaking, but not wishing the relaxed string to take on too much moisture.
Having said that it is likely that a well waxed string, twisted and taut under bracing tension, would be far less prone to absorbing moisture.
With a linen string what I do not want are short fibres and dryness.
Our linen industry in it's heyday was based in Lancashire and N.Ireland just because a damper climate was necessary for the machine production of linen thread, it being more too prone to breakage when spun in dry conditions.
Rod.
bow-toxo:
--- Quote from: Rod on May 19, 2009, 08:58:28 am ---
--- Quote from: staveshaver on April 27, 2009, 01:31:50 pm ---
uote]That's news to me, despite the account of men keeping their strings under their hats at Crecy.
There are accounts enough of fights in inclement weather.
What about Towton, for example?
If the string was an unwaxed spare, I might put it under my hat rather than subject it to a soaking, not for fear of it breaking, but not wishing the relaxed string to take on too much moisture.
Having said that it is likely that a well waxed string, twisted and taut under bracing tension, would be far less prone to absorbing moisture.
With a linen string what I do not want are short fibres and dryness.
Our linen industry in it's heyday was based in Lancashire and N.Ireland just because a damper climate was necessary for the machine production of linen thread, it being more too prone to breakage when spun in dry conditions.
Rod.
--- End quote ---
Giood point about Towton. Linen strings have been found to be as strong wet as dry. The only reason I can find to keep them dry would be to protect the 'water-glewe' with which they were treated. Spare strings for military archers were prepared, even to the bowyers knot, served, no doubt waxed, and ready to clap on the bow at a moments notice.
--- End quote ---
Rod:
I have an Aldred kid's bow which has it's original string and it is drying out that most of all causes the glue coating to fragment on the string.
A little humidity would not be much of a problem with such a string, probably a benefit.
Rod.
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