[Regia-NA] Norse Archery

[Yolli]

Hi Jim,

I think you have the measure of it. But I can add a little to the picture
especially with regard to the genuine Viking bit.

There are some elements of finds associated with Hedeby rather than Nydam.
Hedeby for us is a really good marker as it was raised in 1065 by the Slavs
and then abandoned.

There are some curious bits such as a set of brass/bronze nock points for
arrows. I think there was also a quiver and some elements of a bow from what
I recall - at least there is a large display with an archer on it - but it
doesn't gurantee a bow find though.

If you can source the image that we use on the Regia web site regarding
bows, at the top of the page is Edmund getting ventilated by the Vikings. A
clearer image will reveal all the facets you mention about the shape at the
bottom of the limb, the knot etc.

The Nydam book is an old one ( late 1800's ) and I can't readily suggest
where you might find any recent info on it.

Cheers, Roland Williamson.


----- Original Message -----
From: "jim" <jim.smith@batnet.com>
To: <list-regia-na@lig.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 9:02 PM
Subject: [Regia-NA] Norse Archery


> Hello,
> My name is Jim, or Smišr Žoršarson when in garb.  I live in the
> San Francisco Peninsula, and have been doing Norse re-creation
> for over 5 years, mostly with Asatru groups, but have been involved
> with the SCA since last year.
>
> I've been getting into archery since the beginning of this year, and
> have just started making my own bows (I have over 15 years experience
> as a professional woodworker).
>
> I'm interested in finding any documentation for Viking Age Norse bows.
> The only reference I have seen is from a video tape a friend lent me.
> The video's title was Archery, but I forgot the subtitle, and was produced
> by an English company.  It showed lots of re-enactors from different eras
> using and making period archery equipment.  It spent a few minutes
> on Norse archery, including showing re-enactors (Regia members?) using
> a round shield as a target for practice.
> I jotted down the following info from the video:
> The long bow form was used extensively in the Iron Age in Germany and
> Scandinavia.  Very few Norse bows have survived, however 36 bows have
> been found at the Newdam(sp?) ship burial.  At least one of these bows
> featured a long iron spike mounted to the bottom limb, supposedly for
> use in close combat.
> The bows featured an elaborate string knot on the bottom limb, requiring
> no bottom nock.  The top limb was fitted with side-nocks.  A copper peg
> mounted on the front of the bow a few inches down from the nook was used
> as a string keeper when the bow was unstrung.
> Yew was the favorite wood used for bow making, but other woods, such as
> elm were also used.
>
> I've been trying to find any book that has information on the Newdam
> finds, but have been unsuccessful.  Any suggestions of any books that
> might be helpful would be appreciated.
>
> Thak you
> Smišr
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