Changes
Bows
,/* Bow Strings */
'''Discussion'''<br>
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==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. <br>
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). <br>
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.
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===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==
