Main Discussion Area > English Warbow
Evidence OTHER than MR Bows of 120+ bows?
kevinsmith5:
I linked this to the thread where we're arguing. Hopefully it will be read.
Thanks to all.
adb:
This has been an excellent debate. Kept it civil... good job. There is much controversy surrounding this subject and likely will remain so. The only thing we'll know for sure... we'll never know for sure!
brian:
couldnt agree more, well said.
meanewood:
I think this thread highlights a point made by Ascham, when he is lamenting the fact that his archer contemporaries were not as proficient as those of earlier times!
The 'Mary Rose' finds show that they could still use the heavy weight bows but the real value of an archer on the battlefield is his ability to judge distance, to constantly adjust his elevation to hit moving targets such as horses.
Prior to the emergence of these highly skilled bowmen, the mounted knight ruled the battlefield!
They kept evolving the armour protection but the horse would always be vulnerable even at long range.
The 'Target' accuracy would then come into play as your opponent got to within 50 yards and elevation became less of an issue. Lets face it, close range accuracy would have been vitally important because armour penetration is only possible if you can hit the plate at close to 90 degrees or find a gap protected by mail!
It can be easy for us nowdays to congratulate ourselves on achieving draw weights that may be close to those common to medieval times but loosing arrows as far as we can is hardly scratching the surface when it comes to replicating the feats of those men.
Atlatlista:
I totally agree with your statement, Meanewood. I'm very interested in replicating as much as possible the capabilities of archers of the medieval and ancient periods, however, I've taken the accuracy approach rather than the draw weight approach. I've been honing my technique to try to get as accurate as I possibly can without sights or sight marks over all kinds of distances. It's really tough work. Maybe, someday I'll be able to tie that in to some of the heavier bow weights. Maybe not. 50-60 pounds though is not wholly unrepresentative of military bows from many cultures other than England though, so I may content myself with that.
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