Mary Rose Archers

[Raedwald]

Whatever they had, most of them most probably caught from the flooded (deliberately) lands around Harflour and a siege that went on for days longer than was planned.

And their motivation? Well, if captured, anyone whou could be ransomed would have been taken prisoner - anyone else would've been killed. So I recon, for your average archer, if the choice was fight or die, they'd have fought.

There's an excellent book by Juliet Barker on the Agincourt campaign - well worth a read.

[Matt Easton]

Yes, lots of men died of disease during the siege of Harfleur - it was particularly in one portion of the army camped on one side of the port (near the aforementioned flooded fields and sewage). Henry himself was so concerned about the rampant disease that he had his camp moved up a hill overlooking the rest of the army. The casualties were not limited to the common soldiers either - many of the gentile men at arms died. Also remember that the army that fought at Azincourt was only about half or two thirds (debate on) the size of the army that crossed the channel. The sickest men probably did not leave Harfleur with the rest of the army.

[Schme1440]

I may not shoot a million pound longbow but have shot since I was 11. Having been shooting during my Teens a lot of my muscle developement during these years was focused on my archery muscles. My right arm and hand are significantly larger and stronger than my left. I think archers in general do develope differently. I am a big proof of this but the skeletons found on the Mary Rose and areas of battles are the most extreme examples.

[Yew Selfbow]

Originally Posted by kernowtom

Try reading "Raising the Dead: The Skeleton Crew of King Henry VIII's Great Ship the Mary Rose" - all notions need to be challenged indeed. I am afraid I don't know of any books on dysentery at Agincourt. I have always assumed that references to "dysentery" probably (if improperly) include diarrhea of a less debilitating form than shigellosis or amoebic dysentery. Another good read, thinking about it, is Rats Lice and History by Zinssner (or is it Zinsser? - my copy is packed away) - lots about disease and battles
happy new year
tom

Just acquired a copy of Raising the Dead... I'm reading it now

[jb.68]

[quote=Raedwald;93008]Don't know about the Mary Rose, but skeletons found in a burial pit dating from the battle of Towton certainly show thicker bone structure and development in the lower left and upper right arm, as well as other developments that would indicate prolonged use of high-poundage longbows.

As part of the investigation (a Secrets of the Dead programme on Channel 4 a few years ago), a modern-day longbowman who'd been using high-poundage bows from his early years was CAT-scanned. His skeleton showed the same development.


I too watched this programe the archer you mentioned is Simon Stanley.
It was quite amazing to see the similarities in the skeletons, some 500 years appart

[River Rat]

For those who like a web-based reference try:

http://www.mocaz.com/essays/Crossbow...%20Longbow.pdf

Page 10 where he references:

“Longbow,” Encyclopædia Britannica Online, <http://www.eb.com/>

Hope this helps

Aint Goooooogle great!

River rat

[ThePinkOne]

Originally Posted by Schme1440

I may not shoot a million pound longbow but have shot since I was 11. Having been shooting during my Teens a lot of my muscle developement during these years was focused on my archery muscles. My right arm and hand are significantly larger and stronger than my left. I think archers in general do develope differently. I am a big proof of this but the skeletons found on the Mary Rose and areas of battles are the most extreme examples.

Yes, the chiropractor I go to calls this uneven development "the curse of the toxophilite." He shot to a high standard (he was junior MB) as a teenager in the days when everyone shot heavy bows and ali arrows to get the distance. At age 16 he had over 40lb on his fingers... and he still has the uneven development to show from it. I have also learned how easily this happens from personal experience- during the past few months of daily pulling over a fast-cam 50lb compound my right shoulder has developed more than my left- consequence of one side being in tension, one in compression I am told. Mind you, I can draw the bow real easily now! I just look a bit odd in a skimpy top and skinny cut shoulders on ladies jackets don't fit me so well any more. OK, some body types show muscle bulking more than others, but the basic development pattern is well-demonstrated.

Ray Axford has an interesting discussion of the issues around asymmetry in archery in his books "Archery Anatomy" if you want to look further.

P>

[gino]

Originally Posted by recurvebow

I know a very good site.
There are many good and cheep traditional recurve bows.
Look at it:
http://www.recurvebowshop.com

Belive me, this is a good site!
Regards, Peter

I find it such a coincidence that not only do you share a username with the company you have just plugged, but the name of the man who makes those bows is also called Peter!

It's a small world ey?....

[steve58]

[quote=ThePinkOne;100894]Yes, the chiropractor I go to calls this uneven development "the curse of the toxophilite." He shot to a high standard (he was junior MB) as a teenager in the days when everyone shot heavy bows and ali arrows to get the distance. At age 16 he had over 40lb on his fingers... and he still has the uneven development to show from it. I have also learned how easily this happens from personal experience- during the past few months of daily pulling over a fast-cam 50lb compound my right shoulder has developed more than my left- consequence of one side being in tension, one in compression I am told.

I guess most one-sided activities have that effect on the body; I am very right handed and my shoulder is lower and wider on that side, due to squash when I was a lot younger I suspect. I also found that writing on the board when I was a teacher made that shoulder ache like nothing else. I suppose yoga, the martial arts and body building would develop the body evenly in their different ways? Anyway... what, if anything, does the chiropractor advise you do about this uneven development?