English longbow myth busted
As I have long suspected from my reading that the myth of the high poundage longbow piercing quality armour covered with a quilted gambeson has been busted........
Reading the historical documents from the late Hundred Years’ War it was not the piercing but the kinetic energy and the morale that done the damage to any charge, multiple hits like hail stones would of been most disconcerting to advancing French, English or Scots, Italians et al under the hail of the longbow fire. Yes exposed parts would of been pierced, but in the majority a well armoured knight needed to put up with the hail of shots that would of caused blunt force trauma rather than actual piercing of the armour. Morale was the big factor and effected the charge more than I think we can possibly imagine.
I was surprised that Toby Capewell had not done this type of experiment before, especially when it came to the quilted gambesons effectiveness in reducing kinetic energy. I have used one over my armour for 10 years or more, the reduction of a blow from a two handed weapon is worth the extra heat.
Enjoy the video amd let me know what you think
Video presented by Todds Workshop
Can arrows defeat armour?
Matt
8 comments:
The video is not showing up. But I have seen the Todds workshop video before and the man does quality work.
Matt, I have come across this before and it is quite an eye opener. The archer is also superb at his craft.
Fascinating and very informative. Thanks for producing such a great program.
yes not showing on my phone either.....damn
yes he is, my longbow is 86lbs, and I struggle with it after 10 arrows
cheers
Matt
thanks
I think 90% of history is myth used largely for propoganda purposes. It is a sad fact that an awful lot of national identity (in all countries) is based on the subjective (myth) rather than the objective (history)
It would have been useful to have used hardened arrow heads which were in common use at Agincourt against unharned armor which was in use but became more preveleant latter.
In subsequent videos he does sometimes use hardened heads and one defeats a period coat of plates - a common armor of the period.
He also has a latter video where an arrow goes right through a helm.
In fairness he does point out that the arrows are striking the thickest possible point of armor you would neither further tests against helm, arm and leg armor to get a true picture of the effects of an arrow storm. The test is very much best case for armor (thickest part, best quality etc.)
Post a Comment