THREE MYTHS ABOUT MEDIEVAL ARCHERS

From the 12th to the 16th centuries, archers played an important role in the English armies. Famous in particular for victorious battles during the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453), including Crécy, Poitiers, and Agincourt, the medieval English archer has become something of a legendary figure. Trained from an early age, he was able to manage draw weights in excess of 100lb, as the bows recovered from the wreck of the Mary Rose have proven. His arrows were able to pierce through the finest plate armour, or found their way through the small gaps between its joints from 300 yards away. Until the first shot hit, he had already drawn his heavy bow again five or even 10 times.

So valued were his skills that royal mandates obliged every able-bodied man to practise archery on Sundays and holidays, while effectively banning other sports or ‘worthless pastimes’ such as football, bowling or