For you archery historians and warbow enthusiasts, please be advised that tomorrow is the 603rd anniversary of the battle of Agincourt, France fought on October 25th, 1415.

Briefly, Henry V was marching north in France to Calais when he was cut off by a much larger French force. His own forces were starving but had a solid supply of gray goose shafts and hand tools. It was an unexpected and decided victory for the much outnumbered English. Several books are available with the title 'Agincourt' for more information, particularly one by Cornwell.

With respect for all who suffered, I note the battle for the heavy use of the longbow. Some have called massed archers the machine gun of Medieval times. I sympathize with the ragged archers that were forced to be there and had to stand the line in front of heavy cavalry and massed men at arms. I think I'll loose one arrow at maximum range on the rifle range tomorrow in respect for them.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother Be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition. William Shakespeare

Picture credit: Arre Caballo

Thank you for this post, next trip to library I will look for the suggested book.

There were 6,000 English archers there. Each could shoot 6 arrows per minute, which equates to 36,000 arrows shot in the first minute of battle. Basically 3.6 arrows per Frenchman. It was indeed the massed artillery of its day. The bows were made of Yew, generally pulling around 100 lbs or more, which fired heavy ash arrows with Bodkin points. This combination would penetrate armor and horses alike.

Here's a good read on the battle including the strategies involved.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Agincourt

Man I bet those mugs had some sore shoulders.

No wonder--look at the size of those arrows propped up next to them! ;-)

A friend in England had a fellow make me an arrow typical of the ones shot in that battle, tipped with an bodkin head hand forged with the aid of a forge in use when heads were made for that expedition. Holm Oak arrow, Grey goose wing fletch wrapped on with untreated silk. Also sent soil from the area where the British archers stood that day. The same family still owns that field.

A lesson in strategy for sure. Armored knights buried knee deep in mud....then when knocked over they couldn't get backup......a bit of a miscalculation by the French, eh?

I still get a kick out of the arrogance of the French noblemen...so eager to get their share of ransoms...they told the crossbowmen they didn't need them.

Tomorrow I plan on celebrating a hunt with my Sunset Hill “Agincourt’s Whisper” and reflect on “we band of brothers” on the bent bow.

As Larry stated above....

One of Simon Stanleys arrows held by our friend Roy Day.

Good post, Gray Goose. Jawge

R.I.P. to those lost.

DREAMS FROM ANOTHER LIFE by Ron LaClair I dream of days so long ago

when a mans companion was his bow Then men and bow would act as one

sending clouds of arrows that blocked the sun

The iron tipped shafts piercing mail of chain

making horses scream from the arrows pain

The heavy points of the clothyard shaft

spilled rivers of blood in the wheatfields chaff

Gallant French Knights to war did go

seeking glory in battle with their foe Expecting a fight that was toe to toe they were killed from afar by the mighty Longbow

These dreams are clear as they can be

6000 archers including me

stood side by side with deadly retort that day at the battle of Agincourt

Larry,

That is a most interesting fact that the same family still owns the same piece of land. I do enjoy reading about English archers.

Ron you are a Poet and don't know but your feet show it because they are Longfellows.

George, thank you for the suggested reading, looking forward to it...

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here