A Brief History of the Bow
The earliest bow was found in Europe and dated at around 9,000BC. In Scotland the earliest found is 4040-3650BC. The earliest found in England is 2600BC.
Longbows
Longbows were so called to distinguish them from crossbows. The English proved their longbows were much quicker to use and in medieval times various sorts were developed.
Hunting Bow
Potential game were herded toward the bowmen sited in a camouflaged area, who shot at 20-30 yard range with bows of 60-70lb draw weight which was just light enough to hold and aim.
Birding Bow
Strung with silken string for quietness, mostky aimed at Herons, using flu-flu arrows which were easier to find and also only stunned the birds, not damaging them.
War Bow
Shot at 120-200 yard range with a pull of 100-160lb. Not aimed specifically but used en masse to create an arrow storm. (Battle of Hastings / Bayeau Tapestry).
Drovers/Rural Bow
Made of boughs of seasoned ash which would have been already cut for fences etc. The shapwood forms the back of the bow and the heartwood used for the rounded belly.
Each bow took four years to make as horn and hoof glue could only be used in the Spring. England became short of staves and were imported as a tax.
18th Century Recreational Bow
Mainly made of Rosewood. The sport of Archery was developed by the Victorians as a leisure activity shooting at 120 yards which is 7.5 (N) or 5.5(S) roods. Originally a masculine domain but when ladies and families were introduced to archery the clubs began to swell their numbers enormously.
Types of Arrowheads
Barbed Flint
Stone age, used for hunting, defence. Barbs cause a painful wound
Viking Tanged warhead
Fitted to the shaft with a point
Tanged Roman Three Fluted
For maximum long term harm as 3 sided point causes a wound that will not knit together
Large Carved Broadhead
The largest of the heads on show used for large game hunting such as a deer or bear. Shot at short distance.
Needle Bodkin
A war head popular in medieval period and was designed to penetrate chain mail.
|