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war arrows of the mary rose?

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AH:
I originally posted this in the arrows section, then realized that I would most likely get more responses in the EWB forum. So..

I was just wondering,
what are you guy's thoughts on the lengths of the arrows on the Mary Rose? From what I've read online, apparently the average was 30.5", but whenever we see a warbow it's always drawn to 32"..? were the average draw legnths really just that short, or was the arrow legnth increased with a long head? I always wonder where the mystical "32 inch" draw came from.
Also, were medieval arrows really as heavy as they are often depicted? In the warbow world, we hear a lot about the "Quarter Pound Arrow", does anyone have any knowledge as to whether they really were this heavy?

Ian.:
Apparently there is a reference to the famed 1/4lb arrow, never seen it myself, it could have been made and arrows would have been heavy but perhaps 1/4 is over the top.

The 32" reference came from modern archers who found that length comfortable to shoot, 30-31 is the average by a long way for the Mary Rose arrows.

Weight of the MR arrows is a question more based on practical experience and reproductions made, when the EWBS put together the livery arrow it was made to the same dimensions as the average shafts found, using the same wood, with a typical tudor arrow head. The arrow came out at 62 grams. What you find when shooting as bow over 140lb is that 62 grams is a very nice weight, perfect for distance and general shooting, just feels right.

adb:
Some people can draw to 32", but I am not one of 'em. I find my most comfortable draw is 30".

As Ian so correctly stated, most of the Mary Rose arrows are 30" from the valley of the nock to the base of the head, and using replica materials, come in at around the 'livery' arrow weight used by the EWBS and others. As the medieval arms race heated up in its later  stages, I imagine some heavy arrows were used, but the arrows I saw at the Mary Rose Museum didn't look like 1/4#ers.

With a 100# warbow, drawn to 30" and shooting a 65 gram arrow, I get a really nice cast. 200+ yards is easily do-able.

outcaste:

Hi,

Looking at the data from the Mary Rose, it suggests that the majority of arrows were constructed from Poplar (75%+), Birch (14%) and Alder (6%). With regards to the draw length, there appears to be two large peaks at just over 28ins and 30ins. Interestingly the Alder shafts appear to be the longest (beyond 30ins) as a rule (perhaps fire arrows?)

With regard to the weight of the Poplar shafts; these have been calculated with the addition of a type 16 or small bodkin to around 40.5g and 48.5g. Only the Birch comes in at slightly below 60g or 67g, depending on the head.

Hope this helps?

Alistair

adb:
Thanks, Alistair... awesome info. Where did you source it?

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