[Regia-NA] viking bows

[Wulfhere se Treowryhta]

   I was starting to get the impression you were annoyed by the concept. 
I realize it's a compromise. Many historians think archers were poorly 
regarded peasants for most of history so no one gave a rats backside if 
they got hurt or not. Backing it took to much time and resource just 
like built up handles. Roger Ascham, in "Toxophilus" comments on the 
fact that even at that late date, with organized armies and "armories", 
many archers were peasants who provided their own bows and often 
brought "bent sticks" instead of quality bows.

   I fail to see how a natural fiber back detracts so much from the 
experience of archery in war but hey. I can only hope some grave digger 
lifts a backed bow from British soil sometime soon. Until then, I'll 
stick to the SCA archery range where I'm considered an authenticity 
freak. Wood self bow with no sealant, handle grip, wrapping or arrow 
shelf. Heck, the tournament marshall wasn't going to let me shoot off 
the hand because it was quite unsafe.



On Monday, October 27, 2003, at 12:46 PM, Chris Boulton wrote:

>>    I've been riding a bicycle for 35years (I'm 38). In all those 
>> years,
>> I've never slammed my head on the pavement, nor have I ever personally
>> known anyone who has. So, I guess helmets are pointless...
>
> Giggle. Yes, I take your point, but we think it's unnecessary to 
> compromise
> authenticity to such a degree in this instance. We do need to think
> carefully about safety, and debates like this are never wasted - they 
> make
> us think about what we're doing and sometimes do lead to a decision to 
> make
> a change. Not this time though.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Chris.
>
>
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