With a Bended Bow: Archery in Mediaeval and Renaissance Europe

by Erik Roth

Overview

In With a Bended Bow Erik Roth presents a comprehensive examination of the archer and his weapon in a time when archery was both economically and militarily vital to the security of England, based on the study of mediaeval writings and period artefacts. As an accomplished artist, his illustrations are an invaluable aid to understanding the manufacture and use of the bow.
The book examines the types of weapons and kit produced by guildsmen, the materials used and the work of different specialists including bowyers, fletchers and stringers. It also details the life of the archer himself, how he cared for his equipment, learned to shoot and fought for his country on the battlefields of Scotland and France. With a Bended Bow gives an exceptional insight into the tools, training and fighting techniques of the soldier who defined mediaeval warfare.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780752477978
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	11/30/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Erik Roth is a lifelong medieval enthusiast and archery specialist who has written for Primitive Archer magazine. He lives in Waterloo, Ontario.

Table of Contents

Part I The Guilds 7

Introduction 9

1 The Artillers 11

2 Artillery Types 15

3 Standards of Length 18

4 Bows 24

5 Arrows 35

6 Out of Asia 49

7 Crossbows 53

8 The Archaeology of Archery 56

9 Range and Penetration 65

10 Modern Reproductions 73

11 The Bowyer 77

12 The Fletcher 89

13 The Stringer 98

14 The Arrowsmith 104

15 The Arbalastier 107

16 Sundry Gear 110

Part II The Archers 117

Introduction 119

17 Sources on Shooting 122

18 Learning to Shoot 124

19 Shooting Technique 127

20 Preparation and Maintenance of Gear 145

21 Mounted Archers 153

22 Accuracy of Mediaeval Shooting 156

23 Marks and Shooting Games 161

24 Hunting 174

25 Warfare 192

26 Archers of the Guard 209

27 Cognizances: Liveries, Badges and Standards 213

28 Archery and the Nobility 217

29 Robin Hood and Wilhelm Tell 224

30 Ballads, Religion and Symbolism 231

31 Archery and Medicine 236

Epilogue 239

Wainarnoinen's Journey 241

Notes 245

Bibliography 249

Index 252