Description

An exceptional insight into the tools, training, and fighting techniques of the kind of soldier who defined medieval warfare

Through centuries of war in Europe, the English medieval archer was the most powerful force on the battlefield. Based on the study of medieval writings and period artefacts, this is 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. The author is an accomplished artist, and 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.