How were arrows supplied for battles? | Part 1 | Medieval Logistics

thehistorysquad
27 May 202208:41
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this third installment of the History Squad's series on logistics during the Hundred Years War, Kevin Hicks delves into the intricate details of arrow production and supply. He discusses the materials and craftsmanship involved, including the use of yew wood for bows, hemp and linen for strings, and the importance of quality control by guilds. Hicks highlights the significance of arrows, their assembly by fletchers, and the collection and recycling process after battles. The video also addresses common questions about how archers carried their arrows and the legal requirements for English bowmen during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Takeaways
  • 🏹 Yew bows and arrows were crucial logistics in the Hundred Years War, with a focus on the arrows' logistics in this video.
  • 🌲 Yew wood for bows was imported from all over Europe, highlighting the extensive trade network for this resource.
  • 🎯 The quality of bows and arrows was strictly governed, with guilds ensuring reliability to avoid failure in combat.
  • 🔖 Arrows had to be reinforced with cow horn near the nock, and fletchings were both glued and whipped onto the shaft for stability.
  • 🦢 Goose feathers for fletchings were sometimes collected as a tax from the peasantry, who lacked money for other forms of taxation.
  • 🗡️ Arrow shafts were made from aspen or ash, and the best iron or steel tips came from Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire.
  • 🏹 Fletchers, or arrow smiths, were widespread and important across England and Wales, contributing to the archery industry.
  • 📦 Arrows were bundled into sheaves of 24 for storage and transport, with the Tower of London serving as a central storage location.
  • 🔄 After battles, arrows were collected, stripped, cleaned, re-fletched, and reused, showing the sustainable nature of the archery supply chain.
  • 🎒 Bowmen carried their arrows in various ways, including bags, sheaths, quivers, or bundled at the back of their belts for easy access.
  • 🏹 In 1252, English law required men owning less than 100 shillings of land to be ready for war with sword, dagger, bow, and arrows.
Q & A

  • What is the main focus of this video in the History Squad series?

    -The main focus of this video is the logistics of arrows during the Hundred Years War, including their production, quality control, and storage.

  • What materials were used to make the bow strings?

    -The bow strings were made of hemp and linen.

  • How were the quality of bows and arrows regulated during Richard III’s reign?

    -The quality of bows and arrows was regulated by the guilds of bowyers and fletchers, which were very strict about maintaining standards.

  • What was the significance of the yew wood in the production of bows?

    -Yew wood was significant because it was used to make the bow staves, and it was imported from all over Europe, indicating a large trade industry.

  • How were arrows reinforced at thenock?

    -Arrows were reinforced at thenock with a piece of cow horn.

  • What materials were used for fletching the arrows?

    -Goose feathers were used for fletching the arrows.

  • How were arrows bundled and stored?

    -Arrows were bundled in sheaves of 24 and sometimes sleeved or put into a sheath for storage and transport.

  • Where were the arrows centralized for storage in England?

    -The arrows were centralized and stored in the Tower of London.

  • What measures were taken to prevent the French from learning about English archery?

    -There were bans on exporting bows and arrows to prevent the French from understanding the English archery technology.

  • How many bows and sheaves of arrows were stored in the Tower of London for Edward III's Crecy campaign?

    -For Edward III's Crecy campaign, there were 7,700 bows and 130,000 sheaves of arrows stored in the Tower of London.

  • What was the process for reusing arrows after a battle?

    -After a battle, arrows were collected, stripped, cleaned, re-fletched, and fixed, involving a team of workers over several days.

  • How many arrows did a bowman carry into battle during the muster in 1252?

    -During the muster in 1252, a bowman was required to carry 48 arrows into battle.

Outlines
00:00
🏹 The History of Bows and Arrows in the Hundred Years War

This paragraph introduces Kevin Hicks from the History Squad YouTube channel, discussing the logistics of bows and arrows during the Hundred Years War. It emphasizes the importance of arrows over bows in terms of logistics and quantity. Hicks explains the materials used for bows, the strict quality control by guilds, and the trade of yew wood across Europe. He also delves into the construction of arrows, including the use of goose feathers as a tax, the materials for shafts, and the importance of fletchers. The paragraph highlights the storage of arrows in the Tower of London and the legal requirements for bowmen during the war.

05:01
🔜 Post-Battle Logistics and the Fletchers' Role

In this paragraph, Hicks explores what happened to arrows after battles, noting that they were collected and reused, with a specific example from Brittany in 1343. He discusses the labor-intensive process of refurbishing arrows, including stripping, cleaning, and re-fletching. The paragraph also touches on the roles of guilds and the importance of women in string-making. Hicks concludes by sharing various methods of carrying arrows, his personal preference, and the number of arrows a bowman was required to bring to battle. He invites viewers to ask questions and engage with the content.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Logistics
Logistics in this context refers to the detailed planning and management of the supply chain for weapons, specifically bows and arrows, during the Hundred Years War. It encompasses the procurement of materials, production, transportation, and storage of these items. The video emphasizes the importance of logistics in ensuring that armies were well-equipped for battle.
💡Yew Bows
Yew bows were the primary long-range weapons used during the Hundred Years War. Made from a single piece of yew wood, including the heartwood and sapwood, these bows were favored for their strength and durability. The production of yew bows was regulated by guilds to ensure quality, as a bow's reliability was crucial in battle.
💡Arrows
Arrows were the projectiles used with yew bows and played a critical role in medieval warfare. The production of arrows involved multiple materials and steps, including reinforcing thenock with cow horn, gluing and whipping fletchings, and attaching steel or iron tips. The logistics of arrow production and supply were complex, involving various craftsmen and industries.
💡Fletchers
Fletchers were the craftsmen responsible for making arrows. Their work included attaching fletchings to the arrow shafts and ensuring the arrows were properly constructed for accuracy and effectiveness. Fletchers were essential to the箭制造 industry and were widespread across England and Wales, highlighting their importance in the logistics of warfare.
💡Bowyers
Bowyers were the craftsmen who specialized in making bows, particularly from yew wood. They were part of the guild system that regulated the quality of bows, which was critical for the effectiveness of archers in battle. The bowyers' work was essential to the logistics of supplying armies with reliable long-range weapons.
💡Taxation
Taxation in the context of the video refers to the historical practice of requiring certain goods or services as a form of tax. For instance, bow staves were brought in as taxes on wine, and goose feathers were collected as a form of tax from the peasantry who could not afford monetary payments. This system was integral to the logistics of supplying armies with the necessary equipment for warfare.
💡Arrow Sheaves
An arrow sheaf is a bundle of arrows, typically 24 in number, that were used for storage and transportation. These sheaves were painted and ready for use, illustrating the organized nature of the箭制造 and supply system during the Hundred Years War. The concept of arrow sheaves highlights the importance of efficient packing and distribution in the logistics of warfare.
💡Tower of London
The Tower of London served as a central storage facility for weapons, including arrows and bows, during the Hundred Years War. It was a crucial point in the logistics chain, where supplies were gathered and managed before being distributed to the armies. The tower's role underscores the importance of centralized supply management in medieval warfare.
💡Archery
Archery was a significant aspect of warfare during the Hundred Years War, with longbowmen playing a decisive role in battles. The development of archery as a big business reflects the scale and organization of the箭制造 and supply industry, as well as the importance of skilled archers in the military strategy.
💡Re-supply and Maintenance
Re-supply and maintenance refer to the processes of replacing and repairing equipment after battle. In the context of the video, this includes the collection, cleaning, re-fletching, and re-arming of arrows. These activities were essential to maintaining the effectiveness of archers between engagements and highlight the continuous nature of logistics in warfare.
💡Bowmen's Equipment
Bowmen's equipment encompasses the weapons and gear used by archers, including bows, arrows, and quivers. The video discusses the legal requirements for bowmen to provide their own equipment, such as swords, daggers, bows, and arrows, for warfare. This reflects the personal responsibility of soldiers for their own equipment and the importance of individual preparedness in medieval warfare.
Highlights

The History Squad YouTube channel focuses on the logistics of the Hundred Years War, particularly the use of bows and arrows.

Bows were made from a single piece of yew heart and sapwood, with strings made of hemp or linen.

During Richard III’s reign, the import and quality of bows were strictly governed by taxes and guilds.

Yew for bows was imported from all over Europe, indicating a significant trade industry.

Arrows, often overlooked in films, required a complex logistics system for their production and use.

Arrows had to be reinforced with cow horn where the string attaches, and fletchings were both glued and tied on.

Goose feathers used for fletchings were sometimes collected as a tax from the peasantry.

The best places to source arrow components like steel or iron tips were Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire.

Fletchers, or arrow smiths, were important figures throughout England and Wales, contributing to the archery industry.

Arrows were bundled into sheaves of 24 and painted before being sent to the Tower of London.

Archery became a big business, with laws requiring bowmen to own specific equipment for war.

For the Crecy campaign, the Tower of London stored 7,700 bows and 130,000 sheaves of arrows.

Arrows were collected after battles for cleaning, re-fletching, and reuse, showing a sustainable approach to warfare.

The system of arrow production and maintenance was established in the 1300s and 1400s, marking a significant development in national logistics.

Women were often involved in making the strings for bows, showcasing their dexterity and contribution to the industry.

Bowmen carried their arrows in various ways, including bags, sheaths, or bundled in their belts for easy access.

Bowmen were required to bring a specific number of arrows to their muster, indicating organized military preparation.

Transcripts

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Medieval LogisticsHundred Years WarArchery CraftBow and ArrowFletchers GuildMilitary HistoryEnglish BowyersArrow ProductionTower of LondonCressy Campaign