Difference between revisions of "Bows"

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::“that he might wound the hearts of men therewith, suddenly, as from a bended bow, he fixed the dart of his temptation in the soul of Christ’s soldier. When, therefore, the blessed man was wounded with the poisoned arrow of the accursed spirit,….. Thus had the devilish arrow wounded him with desperation”  
 
::“that he might wound the hearts of men therewith, suddenly, as from a bended bow, he fixed the dart of his temptation in the soul of Christ’s soldier. When, therefore, the blessed man was wounded with the poisoned arrow of the accursed spirit,….. Thus had the devilish arrow wounded him with desperation”  
 
::“and lo ! this same thorn, as an arrow speeds from the bow, so did it fly from the man, and go to a distance;”
 
::“and lo ! this same thorn, as an arrow speeds from the bow, so did it fly from the man, and go to a distance;”
*Anglo-Saxon Chronicle [Ingram 1912]
+
* Anglo-Saxon Chronicle [Ingram 1912]
 
:*Battle of Brumby AD 938
 
:*Battle of Brumby AD 938
 
::there lay many
 
::there lay many
Line 107: Line 107:
 
::under a shower of arrows,
 
::under a shower of arrows,
 
::shot over shields;  
 
::shot over shields;  
 +
:*AD 1083
 +
::The Frenchmen broke into the choir, and hurled their weapons toward the altar, where the monks were; and some of the knights went upon the upper floor, (103) and shot their arrows downward incessantly toward the sanctuary; so that on the crucifix that stood above the altar they stuck many arrows.  And the wretched monks lay about the altar, and some crept under, and earnestly called upon God, imploring his mercy, since they could not obtain any at the hands of men.  What can we say, but that they continued to shoot their arrows; whilst the others broke down the doors, and came in, and slew (104) some of the monks to death,
 +
* Battle of Maldon AD 901 – Written? [Killings 1996]
 +
:*Lines 70-71
 +
::“nor might any harm the other unless through an arrow's flight death receive.”
 +
:*Lines 107-110
 +
::“On Earth was the battlecry.
 +
::They then sent forth from their hands shafts hard as file,
 +
::murderously sharpened spears flew.
 +
::Bows were busily at work, shields received spears.”
 +
:*Lines 265-272
 +
::“Thus the hostage himself willingly helped;
 +
::he was a Northumbrian of a brave family,
 +
::Ecglaf's child; he was named Aescferth.
 +
::He hesitated not at the play of battle,
 +
::but shot forward many arrows;
 +
::here striking a shield, there cutting down a warrior,
 +
::at almost every moment giving out some wound,
 +
::all the while with his weapon he would wield.”
 +
*Song of Roland [Bacon ]
 +
:*Verse 62
 +
::" Give me the bow that in thy hand thou evermore dost bear.
 +
::That no man shall reproach me that I dropped it, I deem well.
 +
:*Verse 63
 +
::The bow which thou hast offered give now into his hand….
 +
::And the King gave it over, and Roland took the bow. [Bacon P.30]
 +
:*Verse 162
 +
::And many a feathered arrow and many a lance and spear.
 +
::They pierced and rent his buckler, and made havoc of his gear. [p.91]
 +
:*Verse 170
 +
::Farther than crossbow shoots the bolt into the land of Spain [P.95]
 +
*Poetic Edda - Rígsþula, The Lay of Rig – Written? [Ashliman 2010]
 +
:*Verse 21
 +
::There was the husband, string a-twining,
 +
::shafting arrows and shaping bows:
 +
:*Verse 27
 +
::“Grew Earl forthwith in the halls and 'gan
 +
::to swing the shield, to fit the string,
 +
::to bend the bow, to shaft the arrow,
 +
::to hurl the dart, to shake the spear,
 +
::to ride the horse, to loose the hounds,
 +
::to draw the sword, and to swim the stream.”
 +
:*Verse 35
 +
::“Young King rode once through thicket and wood,
 +
::shooting arrows and slaying birds,”
 +
*Master Wace, The Chronicle of the Norman Conquest [Taylor 1837]
 +
:* HOW THE KING OF FRANCE CAME AGAIN AGAINST DUKE WILLIAM, AND WAS DEFEATED AT VARAVILLE.
 +
::“Then began a fierce melée, and many a stroke of lance and sword. The knights struck with their lances, the archers shot from their bows, and the villains attacked with their pikes; “ [p.60]
 +
:* HOW KING EDWARD DIED, AND HAROLD WAS CROWNED IN HIS STEAD; AND HOW DUKE WILLIAM TOOK COUNSEL AGAINST HIM.
 +
::The duke was in his park at Rouen. He held in his hand a bow, which he had strung and bent, making it ready for the arrow; and he had given it into the hands of a page, for he was going forth [p.94]
 +
:* HOW THE DUKE AND HIS HOST LANDED NEAR TO HASTINGS, AND MADE THEMSELVES A FORT.
 +
::The archers came forth, and touched land the foremost; each with his bow bent, and his quiver full of arrows slung at his side. All were shaven and shorn, and all clad in short garments, ready to attack, to shoot, to wheel about and skirmish. [p.127]
 +
:* HOW BOTH HOSTS PASSED THE NIGHT AND MADE READY FOR BATTLE; AND HOW THE DUKE EXHORTED HIS MEN.
 +
::The duke and his men tried no further negotiation, but returned to their tents, sure of fighting on the morrow. Then men were to be seen on every side straightening lances, fitting hauberks and helmets; making ready the saddles and stirrups; filling the quivers, stringing the bows, and making all ready for the battle. [p.155]
 +
:* WHO WAS CHOSEN TO BEAR THE DUKE'S GONFANON IN THE BATTLE.
 +
::the men on foot were well equipped, each bearing bow and sword: on their heads were caps (‘Gueldon’ – hoods?), and to their feet were bound buskins (‘Panels’). Some had good hides which they had bound round their bodies; and many were clad in frocks (‘Gambais’), and had quivers and bows hung to their girdles….. Those on foot led the way, with serried ranks, bearing their bows. The knights rode next, supporting the archers from behind. [p.171-172]
 +
:* HOW THE THREE NORMAN COMPANIES MOVED ON TO ATTACK THE ENGLISH
 +
::bows and barbed arrows that are swift, and fly fleeter than the swallow." [p.181]
 +
men ranging themselves in line, lifting their shields, raising their lances, bending their bows, handling their arrows, ready for assault and for defence. [p.186]
 +
:* HOW THE ARCHERS SMOTE HAROLD'S EYE; AND WHAT STRATAGEM THE NORMANS USED.
 +
::The Norman archers with their bows shot thickly upon the English; but they covered themselves with their shields, so that the arrows could not reach their bodies, nor do any mischief, how true soever was their aim, or however well they shot. Then the Normans determined to shoot their arrows upwards into the air, so that they might fall on their enemies' heads, and strike their faces. The archers adopted this scheme, and shot up into the air towards the English; and the arrows in falling struck their heads and faces, and put out the eyes of many; and all feared to open their eyes, or leave their faces unguarded. [p.197-198]
 
'''Archaeology'''<br>
 
'''Archaeology'''<br>
 
see [[Bows and Arrow Shafts found in Western Europe]] <br>
 
see [[Bows and Arrow Shafts found in Western Europe]] <br>

Revision as of 20:01, 7 January 2017


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Viking Age Compendium articles on Archery:
VA Bows.JPG
Archery & Bow Overview
Viking Age Compendium articles on Archery:
VA Bows.JPG
Archery & Bow Overview

Self-bows

Bows in the Viking Age were made from a single piece of ‘D’ section wood, usually yew if available [HALPIN 2008]:p.40-41 (Dublin, Hedeby, Wassenaar), but elm (Dublin, Hedeby) and even scots pine (Dublin) were also used. Bow varied in strength up to around 100lbs (Hedeby).
Bows were made by working down a wooden stave so that the heartwood formed the bulk of the bow, giving it its strength, while a layer of sapwood was retained along the bow’s back to give the bow more elasticity under tension and to help prevent it from breaking.
Many of the bows were extremely simple and we have a number of finds of bows that still have the bumps and branch accretions left from the removed branches along their backs (Wassenaar, Hedeby).

Bow Grips

None of the bows found in the Viking Age have any distinct swelling around the area of the handgrip or show any evidence of having a separate handgrip attached. The bow-staves run roughly parallel along their entire length. The only unique finds of bows that do have a distinct handgrip come from the C7th Alemannic graves at Oberflacht in southern Germany.

Bow nocks

To attach the bow string a simple notch or ‘self-nock’ was cut into the bow stave, near both the bow’s terminals. Self-nocks can be either double-nocks or single-nocks, otherwise known as ‘side-nocks’, with similar numbers having been found of each type. The nocks were always cut into the sides of the bow-stave and never into the front or back.
When bows were single-nocked, or side-nocked, then the cut notches are cut into the opposing sides of the bow-stave, top and bottom.
Some bows only had a self-nock at one end of the bow-stave, with the assumption that the bow-string must have been tied on at the other end (Hedeby, Dublin). A manuscript image showing a tied on bow string might also be seen in the Stuttgart Psalter.

Nocks of different material

It appears that nocks with horn inserts or separately attached horn nocks were not used on self-bows in the Viking Age period. Mary Rose?

Finds of separate nocks have been found, such as the bone example from the C7th grave at Bad Cannstadt in Germany, but these have been identified as coming from a composite bow (Hörnig 2004, p.119). See the section of Eastern style archery for more information.

Stringing nocks and string keepers

Some bows have either a secondary set of nocks at one end of the bow-stave (Dublin, Waterford) or alternatively a hole has been drilled through the terminal (Adare Castle) (Halpin 2008, p.59-60). The secondary set of nocks, known as ‘stringing nocks’ helped in stringing the bow. <><> The hole drilled through the terminal was probably a ‘string keeper‘. A loop of twine or leather thong was passed through the hole and the bow string with the intention of stopping the bow string from slipping down the bow-stave when unstrung.

Deflexed and reflexed terminals

We also have evidence for some bows having deliberately bent terminals after the nock points. These bent terminals either pointed towards the shooter (Dublin, Hedeby) or pointed away from the shooter (various manuscripts). Bows with terminals that bend towards the shooter, otherwise known as ‘deflexed’, are considered to be a diagnostic characteristic of a ‘Viking’ bow. These bent terminals were purely decorative and did not affect the ability of the bow in any way (Halpin 2008, p.???).
Art

  • T64 BL Harley f.64r
  • T84 Vatican Reg.12 f.24v

Archaeology
--
Discussion
Almost all of the Anglo-Saxon manuscripts show bows with nocks deflexed away from the archer, the complete reverse of the deflexed nocks found in archaeology.

Re-curved (Reflexed) Self-bow

A re-curve self-bow is where the stave of the bow is deliberately curved away from the string.
Archaeology

Discussion
Many of the Hedeby bows are shaped this way, along with the Ballinderry bow from Ireland. Paulsen [PAULSEN 1999] makes the case that this is “caused by shrinkage of the soft sapwood in the front”, a theory that is rejected by Halpin [HALPIN 2008]:p.61 who cites a number of authors including Hardy who makes the comment that the bows from the Mary Rose were also re-curved and “that no process during the lifetime of the bows, or after deposition, are convincing explanations for this feature”.

Bow Strings

These were probably made from hemp, linen or silk. The evidence seems to point at hemp being the most commonly used material (Halpin 2008, p.61). Bow strings were usually 3 to 4mm thick and made from 3 ply twine (Altdorf, Switzerland (Hörnig 2004, p.110))
Archaeology

  • Wincott Heckett has suggested that a tablet-woven tubular silk cord, dated to mid C12th, from Waterford may be a bowstring. [HALPIN 2008]:p.61 Halpin then quotes Soar who suggests that the most common material for bow strings was hemp.
  • York, England. A lump of beeswax with a groove caused by rubbing against a thread or string. Walton-Rogers comments that beeswax was often used on bow strings [WALTON ROGERS 1997]:p.1785

Discussion
--

Using the Bow

Loosing arrows

During the Viking Age there were two methods employed for loosing arrows. The ‘Mediterranean loose’, which went on to dominate during the Middle Ages and the ‘Primary loose’, which w<><>. Arrows seem to have been drawn to the chest and not to the chin as is traditionally taught in modern longbow shooting.

Archery in warfare

Using archery in warfare appears to have been common in mainland Europe but probably not in Britain or Scandinavia. Why this was so is difficult to understand. Bows were used to both attack and defend fortifications but not apparently in direct combat.
In Charlemagne’s armies it became an essential weapon: ‘lanceam, scutum et arcum cum duas cordas, sagittas duodecim’ Capitulary of Aarchen of 802/3, c 9. This instruction is most likely the result of the Carolingian wars against the Avars who we know from grave finds used composite bows with bone lathes (Manley 1985, p.226).
We have evidence from <><> and manuscripts that in battle archery was often performed by two men working together, one firing while the other supplied arrows.

Poison

Battle of Maldon ‘poisoned point’ & ‘bows were busy’ (Manley 1985, p.225)

Horse Archery

It appears that archery was not performed in Britain from horseback but it might have been done in France and the rest of mainland Europe. Byzantium warriors were known to ride backwards while shooting (Nicolle 1984).

Catalogue of evidence

Art

Literature

  • Capitulary of Charlemeigne, Mobilization alert: Aachen, mid-April 806
Each horseman is to carry shield and spear, long-sword and short-sword, bow, quivers and arrows, and your carts are to contain implements of various kinds” [King 2007]
  • Lines 1432-1435
“The prince of the Geats
With, his arrowed bow deprived one of life,
Of strife with the sea, so that stood in his vitals
The hard war-arrow : he was in the holm”
  • Lines 1744-1746
“Who from arrowed bow spitefully shoots.
Then is he in his breast pierced under his helmet
With a sharp arrow : he cannot defend him”
  • Lines 1765
“Or grip of the sword, or flight of the arrow.”
  • Lines 2437-2439
“Since him did Haethcyn from his horned bow,
His own dear lord, with arrow pierce,
Missed he the mark and his kinsman did shoot,”
  • Lines 3115
“Him who oft awaited the iron-shower,
When the storm of arrows, loosed from the strings,
Leaped over the shield-wall, the shaft did its duty,
Fitted with feathers followed the barb."
“that he might wound the hearts of men therewith, suddenly, as from a bended bow, he fixed the dart of his temptation in the soul of Christ’s soldier. When, therefore, the blessed man was wounded with the poisoned arrow of the accursed spirit,….. Thus had the devilish arrow wounded him with desperation”
“and lo ! this same thorn, as an arrow speeds from the bow, so did it fly from the man, and go to a distance;”
  • Battle of Brumby AD 938
there lay many
of the Northern heroes
under a shower of arrows,
shot over shields;
  • AD 1083
The Frenchmen broke into the choir, and hurled their weapons toward the altar, where the monks were; and some of the knights went upon the upper floor, (103) and shot their arrows downward incessantly toward the sanctuary; so that on the crucifix that stood above the altar they stuck many arrows. And the wretched monks lay about the altar, and some crept under, and earnestly called upon God, imploring his mercy, since they could not obtain any at the hands of men. What can we say, but that they continued to shoot their arrows; whilst the others broke down the doors, and came in, and slew (104) some of the monks to death,
  • Lines 70-71
“nor might any harm the other unless through an arrow's flight death receive.”
  • Lines 107-110
“On Earth was the battlecry.
They then sent forth from their hands shafts hard as file,
murderously sharpened spears flew.
Bows were busily at work, shields received spears.”
  • Lines 265-272
“Thus the hostage himself willingly helped;
he was a Northumbrian of a brave family,
Ecglaf's child; he was named Aescferth.
He hesitated not at the play of battle,
but shot forward many arrows;
here striking a shield, there cutting down a warrior,
at almost every moment giving out some wound,
all the while with his weapon he would wield.”
  • Song of Roland [Bacon ]
  • Verse 62
" Give me the bow that in thy hand thou evermore dost bear.
That no man shall reproach me that I dropped it, I deem well.
  • Verse 63
The bow which thou hast offered give now into his hand….
And the King gave it over, and Roland took the bow. [Bacon P.30]
  • Verse 162
And many a feathered arrow and many a lance and spear.
They pierced and rent his buckler, and made havoc of his gear. [p.91]
  • Verse 170
Farther than crossbow shoots the bolt into the land of Spain [P.95]
  • Verse 21
There was the husband, string a-twining,
shafting arrows and shaping bows:
  • Verse 27
“Grew Earl forthwith in the halls and 'gan
to swing the shield, to fit the string,
to bend the bow, to shaft the arrow,
to hurl the dart, to shake the spear,
to ride the horse, to loose the hounds,
to draw the sword, and to swim the stream.”
  • Verse 35
“Young King rode once through thicket and wood,
shooting arrows and slaying birds,”
  • HOW THE KING OF FRANCE CAME AGAIN AGAINST DUKE WILLIAM, AND WAS DEFEATED AT VARAVILLE.
“Then began a fierce melée, and many a stroke of lance and sword. The knights struck with their lances, the archers shot from their bows, and the villains attacked with their pikes; “ [p.60]
  • HOW KING EDWARD DIED, AND HAROLD WAS CROWNED IN HIS STEAD; AND HOW DUKE WILLIAM TOOK COUNSEL AGAINST HIM.
The duke was in his park at Rouen. He held in his hand a bow, which he had strung and bent, making it ready for the arrow; and he had given it into the hands of a page, for he was going forth [p.94]
  • HOW THE DUKE AND HIS HOST LANDED NEAR TO HASTINGS, AND MADE THEMSELVES A FORT.
The archers came forth, and touched land the foremost; each with his bow bent, and his quiver full of arrows slung at his side. All were shaven and shorn, and all clad in short garments, ready to attack, to shoot, to wheel about and skirmish. [p.127]
  • HOW BOTH HOSTS PASSED THE NIGHT AND MADE READY FOR BATTLE; AND HOW THE DUKE EXHORTED HIS MEN.
The duke and his men tried no further negotiation, but returned to their tents, sure of fighting on the morrow. Then men were to be seen on every side straightening lances, fitting hauberks and helmets; making ready the saddles and stirrups; filling the quivers, stringing the bows, and making all ready for the battle. [p.155]
  • WHO WAS CHOSEN TO BEAR THE DUKE'S GONFANON IN THE BATTLE.
the men on foot were well equipped, each bearing bow and sword: on their heads were caps (‘Gueldon’ – hoods?), and to their feet were bound buskins (‘Panels’). Some had good hides which they had bound round their bodies; and many were clad in frocks (‘Gambais’), and had quivers and bows hung to their girdles….. Those on foot led the way, with serried ranks, bearing their bows. The knights rode next, supporting the archers from behind. [p.171-172]
  • HOW THE THREE NORMAN COMPANIES MOVED ON TO ATTACK THE ENGLISH
bows and barbed arrows that are swift, and fly fleeter than the swallow." [p.181]

men ranging themselves in line, lifting their shields, raising their lances, bending their bows, handling their arrows, ready for assault and for defence. [p.186]

  • HOW THE ARCHERS SMOTE HAROLD'S EYE; AND WHAT STRATAGEM THE NORMANS USED.
The Norman archers with their bows shot thickly upon the English; but they covered themselves with their shields, so that the arrows could not reach their bodies, nor do any mischief, how true soever was their aim, or however well they shot. Then the Normans determined to shoot their arrows upwards into the air, so that they might fall on their enemies' heads, and strike their faces. The archers adopted this scheme, and shot up into the air towards the English; and the arrows in falling struck their heads and faces, and put out the eyes of many; and all feared to open their eyes, or leave their faces unguarded. [p.197-198]

Archaeology
see Bows and Arrow Shafts found in Western Europe
Other finds:
Nydem, Vimose and Kragehul, Denmark bog finds also had bows and arrows.

References

Ashliman, D.L. (2010) Rígsþula, The Lay of Rig.. [Ashliman 2010] ^ *
Bacon, Leonard (1914) The Song of Roland, Translated into English Verse. (Available Online) [Bacon 1914] *
de Stoute, Jur (2008) Paleo Planet, Archery - Primitive Bows - 1200 year old longbow from Netherlands. (Website Article). [Accessed: 2011] [DE STOUTE 2008] *
Garnet (1912) Beowulf & Fight at Finnsburg. [Garnet 1912] ^ *
Gebühr, Michael (2000) Nydam und Thorsberg. Opferplätze der Eisenzeit. [GEBÜHR 2000] *
Goodwin (1948) The Life of St. Guthlac.. [Goodwin 1948] ^ *
Halpin, Andrew (2008) Weapons and Warfare in Viking and Medieval Dublin. Medieval Dublin Excavations 1962-81: Ser.B Vol.09 [HALPIN 2008] ^ 1 2 3 4 *
[HŐRNIG 2005] *
Ingram, James (1912) The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles'. (Available Online) [Ingram 1912] ^ *
Killings, Douglas B. (1996) The Battle of Maldon.. (Available Online) [Killings 1996] ^ *
King, P.D. (2007) The Annals of the Kingdom of the Franks. [King 2007] ^ *
Manley, John. “The Archer and the Army in the Late Saxon Period.” Anglo-Saxon Studies in Archaeology and History 4, 1985: 223 - 235. [MANLEY 1985] *
'Pfeil und Bogen in Haithabu'. In Geibig, A. and Paulsen, H. (1999) Neue Ausgrabungen in Haithabu; Band 33: Das archäologische Fundmaterial VI. Ausgrabungen in Haithabu. Hedeby-Ausgrabungen in Haithabu [PAULSEN 1999] ^ 1 2 *
Stephenson, I. P. (2007) The Late Anglo-Saxon Army. Tempus. [STEPHENSON 2007] *
Tayler, Edgar (1837) The Chronicle of the Norman Conquest from the Roman de Rou, by Master Wace. (Available Online) [Taylor 1837] ^ *
Walton Rogers, Penelope (1997) Textile Production at 16-22 Coppergate. York Archaeological Trust: 17/11 [WALTON ROGERS 1997] ^ *