Main Discussion Area > English Warbow
War bow string theory
staveshaver:
Why then would Hemp, or Linen decay any faster than wood? ( such as on the Mary Rose) it is all cellulose.
bow-toxo:
--- Quote from: staveshaver on May 30, 2009, 01:56:38 am ---Why then would Hemp, or Linen decay any faster than wood? ( such as on the Mary Rose) it is all cellulose.
--- End quote ---
The bows were not just any wood, but yew, which used to be used for fence posts because it was so resistant to decay. I guess the next question would be: "Then why didn't the arrows decay" Maybe someone has an answer to that. Maybe the varnish ?
adb:
I thought most of the artefacts which were recovered from the Mary Rose survived because they were buried in the silt of the seabed, where the conditions were anaerobic, allowing minimal decay.
ratty:
--- Quote from: bow-toxo on May 30, 2009, 02:30:55 pm ---
--- Quote from: staveshaver on May 30, 2009, 01:56:38 am ---Why then would Hemp, or Linen decay any faster than wood? ( such as on the Mary Rose) it is all cellulose.
--- End quote ---
The bows were not just any wood, but yew, which used to be used for fence posts because it was so resistant to decay. I guess the next question would be: "Then why didn't the arrows decay" Maybe someone has an answer to that. Maybe the varnish ?
--- End quote ---
half the hull of the ship survived and that was made of oak.
i must admit, ive never hered of yew being used as fence posts? :-\
adb:
I've heard of osage being used as fence posts.
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