Nathan Robinson wrote: | ||
David, where are you getting this? Please cite a reputable reference that states this. |
Sure can,
Open any book that cited the punishment for being caught as an archer.... Ever heard the term "pluck yew".
Or
The punishment for a captured crossbowman? Lots of reads in england on the fact......
Dan - you are mistaken, Archers were NOT well liked, take a look at the wages they got in ANY english documents (plenty survive). They didn't make much, they were REQUIRED to pay for their own bow and required to practice and pay for the arrows as well. They were hated by anyone that faced them and they were not considered as high a social value or social class as even a common foot solder - respected by captains - yes.... by other fighting men - hardly.....
Quite frankly - i mean come on now - an arrow or bolt can't pierce plate right - so i mean the solders would hate an archer as they have no worth on the filed using ineffective arrows and bolts - right? Or maybe the arrows and bolts were effective and hated by the men that made like a pin cusion.... Can't have it both ways....
If you reference ANY of the english documents (that still survive) it will tell you about the life of archers. I recommend starting with the medieval historians - Lots of them in england and in the museums that are more then willing to email and chat on the phone.
Also,
there is solid fact in book and surviving artifact and then there is common sense..... Little has changed in the sum 700 years of history we are discussing. Bows take time to learn - crossbows take days. Arrows still fly the same and the tips still do the same thing they did back then. Nate, i respect you and the fact you want reputable references - however when one is doing it, shooting it and making it - that to me is pretty factual, kind of like the saying - looks like a duck, sounds like a duck and walks like a duck.... must be a duck.... Bows and crossbows haven't changed in the sum 10000+ years of the bow and 2000ish years of the crossbow (not sure if its been 10000 years - im not that old)
There is reputable fact and then there is common sense and the "duh" factor......
I am still trying to figure out (with the utmost respect to you dan and nate) If its because this is a armor and sword discussion board that there is little known about missile weapons OR - if people just like to argue and cite facts when they back up what they want to say - yet leave the other paragraph out that would put holes (no pun intended) in their theory or fact based statement.....
If you want to proof what i say wrong - you say qoute fact.... well then YOU qoute fact and show me wrong, or shoot some of the weapons and show me your results and show me wrong... I say this as i have bows and crossbows and a range with targets that say im not that far off and things haven't changed in the 700 years we are discussing.
David