Back to Wargames Forum Here are some comment on the recent Random Shots by Dave Millward about longbows and Crossbows.
Just a
thought for you.
Crossbows have a much lower trajectory and so would tend to
"skid" under the grass and would therefore be difficult
to recover. An arrow with it's higher trajectory would stick out
of the ground and would be easy to spot. Could this account for
the higher usage of quarrels? ie a lower recovery rate after the
battle.
Bob
Hi:
As someone who actively shoots both bow and xbow, I have often
been amused by all the theory espoused. Some years ago I wrote a
series of articles for the US mag Sorcerer's Apprentice on the
subject. I have taught and tested. When talking rates of fire,
for instance, it is impossible to lump one type of weapon with
another. For instance, a stirrup xbow of low draw weight would
have about the same rate of fire. If it is light enough, say
below 100# then the attribute is irrelevent. If using the
stirrup, the archer does not risk being tired by the effort the
way one does with a 70# long bow. Size is less important. When
dealing with resupply, however the real factor is the
"Archer's Paradox" in order to shoot a bow accurately,
one needs an arrow specific to the draw of the archer. When the
string slaps the nock, the arrow flexes. If the spine is correct,
the arrow flexes around the bow, spirals, straightens out and
hits the target. While arrows are cheap, the odds are that no one
else uses quite the same arrow. Too soft, or too hard, the arrow
slapps the bow, and bounced off in some direction being useiless.
When looking at Quarrals, all they have to be is stiff enough to
take the impact of the string.
Another consideration is with training. It takes years to become
proficent with the bow. And constant practice to keep it up. I
can take anyone, however, and teach them to put the whole quiver
of bolts into the chest of the target at 75 yards in a half hour!
It is easier to shoot a xbow than it is to shoot a gun. This is
due to the feedback of being able to see where the bolt goes. A
pistol just makes a little hole. did I go on and on. sorry. Pet
subject. i have read a lot of your stuff over the years and
always had a good time. And I am sure you got edited sooooo much
that things you wanted to say got left out.
R.Russo
Dear Dave.
I have read with interest your article on Arrows and Quarrels. I
pose the following question out of a quest for more information
and not as any form of criticism. Would a proportion of arrows
discharged during a battle be recovered for use again. This
salvage could happen either during the battle or afterwards in
the scavenge for spoil. I would imagine that it would be easier
to do this for arrows as opposed to the crossbow quarrels which
would be much harder to find. Even allowing for damage during
impact or the subsequent trampling under foot or hoof a fair
number would survive for re-cycle. Thus would the 13th century
accountant have allowed for this in his frugal calculations.
With Regards
Chris Hanley