h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

But I didn't know the names for the various parts of the crossbow, so now when involved in RPGs I can come out with the terminology as well

I watched a programme some time ago about Warwick Castle where they employed an archer and he got about 16 arrows a minute into a target. But as he said, accuracy wasn't all that important when you had several thousand longbowmen shooting into an opposing army.

One intersting little thing he said that he has never seen done in films or tv series; the archers would't keep their arrows in a quiver during battle, but would put them into the ground close to their right hand for speed of loading. I don't know if crossbowmen did the same, but I have looked out for the practice since in films etc and so far he is proved right!

thanks

Yes, archers would carry their arrows onto the field and throw them into the ground point first.
This actually had two benefits. One, speed shooting was easier and two, it coated the point of the arrow in cack from the ground, thereby adding the dimension of germ warfare to the equation! They were particularly fond of shooting from pastureland since there were many cowpats in which to wipe the end of the arrow before shooting! Charming eh?

Crossbow men would usually either tuck the bolts into their belt at the back (another trick archers also used, but less often) or they would tuck one bolt through the band round their hat and hold the next in their teeth whilst stringing the bow, again reducing the time take to load the bow.

All good stuff ain't it!

i know nothing about this subject at all and found your article a fantasticallly informative read - and very well written too

dig the jackie brown reference

Glad someone got the reference!

And thanks for the compliments! Glad you enjoyed it.