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Mary Rose Replica Bow Build-Along--An Entrance into the World of War Bows
George Tsoukalas:
Great thread, JD. Seems like you are enjoying the process. Thanks for sharing all that great info. Jawge
Dane:
For those of you interested in such things, here is a quote from a facinating book, The Description of England, by William Harrison. (Publisher is Dover, ISBN 0-486-28275-9). Now, the longbow was in its decline at this point, but this book, written in 1587, gives a detailed description of life in Shakespear's England. This is from Chapter XVI: Of Armor and Munition
In times past the chief force of England consisted in their longbows. But now we have in manner generally given over that kind of artillary and for longbows indeed do practice to shoot compass for our pasttime, which kind of shooting can never yield any smart stroke nor beat down our enemies as our countrymen were wont to do at every time of need. Certes the Frenchmen and rutters, derided our new archery in respect of their corslets, will not let in open skirmish, if any leisure serve, to turn up their tails and cry " Shoot, English!" and all because our strong shooting is decayed and laid in bed. But if some of our wars with France, the breech of such a varlet should have been nailed in his bum with one arrow and another feahtered in his bowels before he should have turned about to see who shot the first. But as our shooting is thus in manner utterly decayed among us one way, so our countrymen wax skillful in sundy other points, as in shooting in small pieces, the caliver, and handling of the pike, in several uses whereof they are become very expert.
He goes on to descirbe artillary pieces, armor, and other neat stuff. In fact, the entire book is worth reading, and gives you many insights into life in Tudor England, which is not that far in the future from the days of Agincourt, etc.
So JD, are you going whole hog and outfit yourself as a medival longbowman, with turnshoes, riveted maile, dagger, wollen hose, etc?
duffontap:
Excellent contribution Dane--thanks for that quote and thanks to everyone for your thoughts on archery heritage, and history...
I'm posting something on horn nocks momentarily.
J. D. Duff
Badger:
This really has been an enjoyable thread, really adds a lot of quality and class to the sight here. Steve
duffontap:
Wow Steve, thanks.
Oh, Dane--I'll take a wollen horse if your offering. I had some glue-stick ponies when I was young that would have been pretty useful for arrow penetration tests, but not much else. I totally blew that opportunity! ;D
J. D. Duff
Step 7 in five....
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