Changes
Bows
,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, 2005: 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.???)]. <br>
<gallery mode=Packed heights=250px style="Padding-left:30px; text-align:left;">
London, British Library MS Cotton Claudius B IV fol.41v.jpg|Bow with terminals that point away from the shooter (reflexed).<br>(Brit. Lib. Cott. Clau. B IV, AD 1040)
=== 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, 2005: p.110)])<br>
'''Archaeology'''<br>
* 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.
===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.
<gallery mode=Packed heights=120px style="Padding-left:30px; text-align:left;">
===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)].
== References ==
