Robin Hood's Bowyer

[jb.68]

The J/H challenge arra represents a good approximation of a battle shaft (for want of a better word) but let's not forget that there were other types of arras for different purposes, for example galling arras would be thinner, lighter and of smaller fletchings. These were used to sting the enemy into action at greater distances than they would be able to respond to. So smaller feathers could be used there.

Another thing to think of is would you throw away perfectly good feathers if they weren't long enough, or would you splice them. I know that there is no evidence of this, but it makes sense to me rather than throw away a valuable commodity. I guess they would have to weigh up whether the extra time spent on splicing it out weighed what would otherwise be a waste of materials.

[Et tu brute]

Good point about the galling arrows JB, perhaps they'd be closer to the BLBS standard arrow? I seem to remember something about galling heads, are those the two pronged ones?

Splicing definitely makes sense. Another think would be that the medieval archers wouldn't care whether the arrow looked pretty or not, so splicing would perhaps be an easier job than it is nowadays, as the fletcher wouldn't be going for perfection, just enough feather to give sufficient "steerage" to the arra. Just speculation though.

[BasicNigel]

221179][font=Comic Sans MS]There you go another example of how much better Robin of sherwood was compared to the new robin hood R.O.S. had a charater called "Tom the

Originally Posted by english_archer; Fletcher"[/FONT

Dont quote me on this but I believe during the 100 years war arrows were manufactured by the thousands in England then sent off with the armies to resupply the archers.

At one point during the 100 Years War a statute was passed requiring fletchers and blacksmiths (making piles) to work 12hr shifts to supply the needs of bowmen alone. Bowyers where exempt from this practice however 'lest they produce a inferior bow'.
Recent estimates give 5000 bowmen losing at a rate of 11 arrows per minute
would produce a 'arrow storm' of 1000 arrows per second. This would exaust the archers own supply and that of the baggage train in just under 10 mins.

[english_archer]

Originally Posted by BasicNigel

221179][font=Comic Sans MS]
Recent estimates give 5000 bowmen losing at a rate of 11 arrows per minute
would produce a 'arrow storm' of 1000 arrows per second. This would exaust the archers own supply and that of the baggage train in just under 10 mins.

You often hear talk of "arrow storms" but until you put the numbers to it it's just a phrase.A thousand arrows a second ? that is impressive, that must of been a sight to see (but only from the English lines) When you realise the number of arrows raining down you have to wonder why there is such disscusion about armour penetration sheer weight of numbers would see off enough of the opposition.

[buzz lite beer]

What exactly have the last few posts got to do with this origins of this thread...??

[Longbow_Gold]

Sorry, I may have started that off, talking about medieval arrows in my initial reply to the thread

Willie

[buzz lite beer]

No need to apologise to me, just thought my lack of intelligence had overwhelmed again and I'd missed something.

[english_archer]

Originally Posted by buzz lite beer

No need to apologise to me, just thought my lack of intelligence had overwhelmed again and I'd missed something.

You hadnt missed anything Buzz we had wandered off topic

[Longbow_Gold]

Thanks guys

Here's a different angle to the initial topic of this thread and it would certainly be an interesting one

What draw weight do you guys think that Robin Hood or his allies would've used on their bows?... a rough guess/estimate would do, just for the discussion of it

I'll explain my reason for asking once a few replies/answers have been posted

Willie

[jb.68]

Originally Posted by Longbow_Gold

Thanks guys

Here's a different angle to the initial topic of this thread and it would certainly be an interesting one

What draw weight do you guys think that Robin Hood or his allies would've used on their bows?... a rough guess/estimate would do, just for the discussion of it

I'll explain my reason for asking once a few replies/answers have been posted

Willie

Well seeing as they were fighting a guerilla type war in a woodland terrain at fairly close quarters, I'm gonna go for something of a reasonably light weight say 60-70lb....