Physiological effects of wearing armour and heat

Pukka Bundook · 30th October 2008, 03:23 PM

Miqueldiaz,

I like the way this thread is progressing!

In "the Great Warbow" Robert hardy states that the archers of the period drew with only two fingers and shows illustrations as well, but maybe the French drew with three fingers, and presumed the English did as well.

Re how a knight got re-hydrated in battle....(I like your last illustration!)
A knight had a groom, or squire or whatever to attend him, and I gather to re-supply him with arms as he broke them. maybe he also had a few gallons of water or something for refreshment.

Re. Agincourt, Two points;

1, Your quote re. the French boast, of cutting off the fingers, ..." so that man or horse would never be killed by arrows again"
Says quite a lot.
Some now play down the part that the archers had in the defeat of the French at this period, but this statement shows vividly that the French viewed the longbow as a terrible weapon, ..and not at all sporting....and it was a sore point with them. A sure sign of its effectiveness.

2. the English were a pretty sick bunch when they drew up for battle...outnumbered as well, and had a "backs against the wall" mentality,
This I see as the key to their success,..."if we lose, we are dead men".
Because of this, the resolve was there to Not lose. The rest's history.

Please forgive if this is slightly OT.

Richard.

30th October 2008, 03:23 PM	#26
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Miqueldiaz, I like the way this thread is progressing! In "the Great Warbow" Robert hardy states that the archers of the period drew with only two fingers and shows illustrations as well, but maybe the French drew with three fingers, and presumed the English did as well. Re how a knight got re-hydrated in battle....(I like your last illustration!) A knight had a groom, or squire or whatever to attend him, and I gather to re-supply him with arms as he broke them. maybe he also had a few gallons of water or something for refreshment. Re. Agincourt, Two points; 1, Your quote re. the French boast, of cutting off the fingers, ..." so that man or horse would never be killed by arrows again" Says quite a lot. Some now play down the part that the archers had in the defeat of the French at this period, but this statement shows vividly that the French viewed the longbow as a terrible weapon, ..and not at all sporting....and it was a sore point with them. A sure sign of its effectiveness. 2. the English were a pretty sick bunch when they drew up for battle...outnumbered as well, and had a "backs against the wall" mentality, This I see as the key to their success,..."if we lose, we are dead men". Because of this, the resolve was there to Not lose. The rest's history. Please forgive if this is slightly OT. Richard.