Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => English Warbow => Topic started by: JBL on January 19, 2009, 05:28:53 pm
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Just started reading Bernard Cornwell's new book "Agincourt" and can't put it down, as usual from Cornwell a real page turner. Great stuff on the warbow and how the English army was organized during the time.
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Great book!! Read it in 3 days it was that good.....Have you read any of his other books??
Thanks for your time.
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I have read his "Saxon Series" and I believe he is to Medievel historical fiction what Patrick O'Brien was to the Napoleonic War at sea. I have not had a chance to read "Archers Tale" but that is on my list.
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I finished it a while back... truly a great book, and very accurate. Cornwell obviously did his homework. I didn't devour it... I savoured it slowly, as I didn't want it to end! His other books (a trilogy) about thomas of Hookton are pretty good, as well.
If you're interested in this genre, there is also a great book by Daniel Hall called"Kemp: The Roar to Crecy."
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I have read his "Saxon Series" and I believe he is to Medievel historical fiction what Patrick O'Brien was to the Napoleonic War at sea. I have not had a chance to read "Archers Tale" but that is on my list.
"Archers Tale" is the Americanized version of Cornwell's book: "Harlequin." It's the first of the Thomas of Hookton trilogy. They renamed it for the American market, cuz they thought people might get confused with Harlequin Romance novels. A good read, but Azincort is better.
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Yeah the Grail quest trilogy are a great read, I would suggest reading them before Agincourt as a reference is made to Thomas Hookton in the Agincourt book.
Critisism's: the use of the term "Fledgers" instead of "Fletchers" as arrow makers.
He also states that a crossbow can out range a warbow, which as we all know it can't.lol
Steve
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Yeah there's always those small hic ups in a book that i say "that's not right" and then get a look from the wife.......
The Warlord books are top of my list for him.
And Warren Ellis "CRECY" comic book is a great read too,just don't let anyone under 15 years read it there's the big swear words in it.
Thanks for your time.
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The viking series is by far my favourite, just read it again for the 5th time
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What I found somewhat interesting thus far into the book (about 1/2 way) is the divesity he claims for the cross bow i.e. greater caste and ability to fight better in the woods. I just take it for what it is and that is a very entertaining book. He has become one of my favorite authors just behind Patrick O'Brien.
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I've read all and own all his book's except the Sharpe series,i cant get away with Richard Sharpe!
Agincourt or Azincourt as the UK book is called is a great yarn!!I would of liked more of King Henry but Sir John Cornwaile makes up for it,What a guy!!! >:D
The Grail quest is a must for those Interested in WarBows,the second in the series is my favourite (Vagabond) the battle description at Nevilles Cross is engrossing!It;s like your there laughing at the Scots >:D.
The Saxon series is probably my favourite,Uthreds from my part of the country (Bebbanburgh's just up the road) and i'm fascinated with Saxon Aengland's History.
Followed by the WarLord Trilogy,now thats what i believe Arthur was like! I certainly dont think of him as a Roman (spit on that King Arthur Movie! >:D).
I hope it's ok to link to Bernard Cornwells site?
If not a MOD can remove the link, please.
Here's some video interviews with the man.
http://bernardcornwell.net/
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Loved this book, just like every other one of his i've read!
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Just started reading this last night. One thing I'm curious about however are the references to HEMP bow strings.
Does anyone still use hemp? I googled this and couldn't find anything significant.
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The historical notes at the back are interesting too. St. Crispin and St. Crispinians day are now in November, which makes the battle of Azincourt November. Though some still celebrate it in September, which it would have been if we hadn't changed from the Gregorian calendar.
I've never really been a reader of fiction but saw Azincourt in Tesco for £3 and gave it a go. Glad I did, now reading the Saxon chronicles and will read the grail quest and others mentioned above.
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Just started reading this last night. One thing I'm curious about however are the references to HEMP bow strings.
Does anyone still use hemp? I googled this and couldn't find anything significant.
In the late Middle Ages hemp strings were replacing the linen ones. I recently made up a hemp string lile those I described in my post on the subject. It is of three bundles if five ten pound hemp strings, served with green silk at loop and middle and fits a nock on one of the Mary Rose arrows. I gave it to the MR museum and they said they would include it in the diaplays. That would be nice..
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Yeah the Grail quest trilogy are a great read, I would suggest reading them before Agincourt as a reference is made to Thomas Hookton in the Agincourt book.
Critisism's: the use of the term "Fledgers" instead of "Fletchers" as arrow makers.
He also states that a crossbow can out range a warbow, which as we all know it can't.lol
Steve
The term "fledgers" turns up quite often in 13th and 14th century texts from the Norfolk and Suffolk areas. As there was no standard format of spelling, words were writen in fanetics, hence the spelling AREWS for arrows KYNGE for King and STRYNGE for string, so FLEDGERS for fletchers would be acceptable
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In the late Middle Ages hemp strings were replacing the linen ones. I recently made up a hemp string lile those I described in my post on the subject. It is of three bundles if five ten pound hemp strings, served with green silk at loop and middle and fits a nock on one of the Mary Rose arrows. I gave it to the MR museum and they said they would include it in the diaplays. That would be nice..
Wow...what did you use as a binder?
Hide glue...Wax???
How much does hemp stretch under all that tension?
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In the late Middle Ages hemp strings were replacing the linen ones. I recently made up a hemp string lile those I described in my post on the subject. It is of three bundles if five ten pound hemp strings, served with green silk at loop and middle and fits a nock on one of the Mary Rose arrows. I gave it to the MR museum and they said they would include it in the diaplays. That would be nice..
Wow...what did you use as a binder?
Hide glue...Wax???
How much does hemp stretch under all that tension?
I waxed the threads and the final string. I didn't measure the stretch which I only have a problem with in silk strings. What tension do you mean ?
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I waxed the threads and the final string. I didn't measure the stretch which I only have a problem with in silk strings. What tension do you mean ?
Just the braced tension.
Another curious blurb in the book is the mention of using human bones in the forging of bodkin points....to make them harder???
Sounds like something the author just made up for shock value.
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In the late Middle Ages hemp strings were replacing the linen ones. I recently made up a hemp string lile those I described in my post on the subject. It is of three bundles if five ten pound hemp strings, served with green silk at loop and middle and fits a nock on one of the Mary Rose arrows. I gave it to the MR museum and they said they would include it in the diaplays. That would be nice..
Wow...what did you use as a binder?
Hide glue...Wax???
How much does hemp stretch under all that tension?
I waxed the threads and the final string. I didn't measure the stretch which I only have a problem with in silk strings. What tension do you mean ?
I have tried many times to creat a hemp string strong enough to take a bow of 120lb+ but without success, I know these were used and I am sure it is down to the quality of hemp, I would be fascinated to see one of your hemp strings, would you be able to make one for me that will stand a bow of this weight and send it to me. obviously I would pay for it and the postage.
many thanbks.
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I waxed the threads and the final string. I didn't measure the stretch which I only have a problem with in silk strings. What tension do you mean ?
Just the braced tension.
Another curious blurb in the book is the mention of using human bones in the forging of bodkin points....to make them harder???
Sounds like something the author just made up for shock value.
Bones were most definately used in the forging of arrow heads, you can use them to transfer the carbon to the arrow heads by heating them in a box with the arrow head.
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Bones were most definately used in the forging of arrow heads, you can use them to transfer the carbon to the arrow heads by heating them in a box with the arrow head.
Do you mean bones were used instead of coal to decrease the carbon content from above 3% to below 1%?
I imagine using bones would add a small amount of magnesium to the alloy as well.
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Bones were most definately used in the forging of arrow heads, you can use them to transfer the carbon to the arrow heads by heating them in a box with the arrow head.
Do you mean bones were used instead of coal to decrease the carbon content from above 3% to below 1%?
I imagine using bones would add a small amount of magnesium to the alloy as well.
No, he means to "carburize" the iron, then to heat and quench the heads so as to case-harden them.
Dave
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Apparently bones were used also in Asia in the forging process...in this case for swords!
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/09/090908-taiwan-sword-video-ap.html
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Interesting link that! Seems as if phosphorus might enter the iron as well.
Dave
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green destiny! cool!
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I have tried many times to creat a hemp string strong enough to take a bow of 120lb+ but without success, I know these were used and I am sure it is down to the quality of hemp, I would be fascinated to see one of your hemp strings, would you be able to make one for me that will stand a bow of this weight and send it to me. obviously I would pay for it and the postage.
many thanbks.
I would be happy to make one up for you. As you know, the hemp previously used is no longer available. I have some ten pound hemp string, unfortunately only available bleached. These strings take as much as 18 pounds of pull to break. Three strands of five strings each makes a string to fit the nock of a Mary Rose arrow. I can’t guarantee that it would stand up in a 120 pound bow as I don’t have one of that draw weight to test them, but if it doesn’t, no charge. Finished string would be served at loop and nocking point with green silk. I would need measurement of bow length between nocks and around widest part of nock.
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I have tried many times to creat a hemp string strong enough to take a bow of 120lb+ but without success, I know these were used and I am sure it is down to the quality of hemp, I would be fascinated to see one of your hemp strings, would you be able to make one for me that will stand a bow of this weight and send it to me. obviously I would pay for it and the postage.
many thanbks.
I would be happy to make one up for you. As you know, the hemp previously used is no longer available. I have some ten pound hemp string, unfortunately only available bleached. These strings take as much as 18 pounds of pull to break. Three strands of five strings each makes a string to fit the nock of a Mary Rose arrow. I can’t guarantee that it would stand up in a 120 pound bow as I don’t have one of that draw weight to test them, but if it doesn’t, no charge. Finished string would be served at loop and nocking point with green silk. I would need measurement of bow length between nocks and around widest part of nock.
many thanks Bow-Toxo, the bow is 79" between the nocks and the widest part of the nock is 20mm.
Thanks again
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One really surprising error in the Archers Tale series ( I forget which book) was that when he needed a new bow he just hacked of a yew piece green and tillered it there on the spot.
Dave
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Yeah, I kinda raised my eyebrow at that one too... ???
Good stories though.
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Just finished Agincourt, and was really impressed with the image the author produced of the battle. I agree with Cornwell that the archers were more than likely on the flanks, with the Men-at-Arms in the center. Having archers intermixed with the infantry would have created a weak line and probably would've broken, although it's still hard to imagine having nothing but archers protecting your flanks in a battle.
Some of you have talked about reading his other Saxon books. I highly highly suggest you read Jack Whyte if you're interested in Roman Britian. The first and second books are the abolute best I've read, and they are called "The Skystone" and "The Singing Sword."
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I have read all of Jack Whyte's books, and I highly recommend them all.
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Have been a fast and firm supporter of Cornwell, great stuff:-)