[Archers] From the SCA-Announcement list

[Garth Groff]

M'Lord Christophe and Noble Friends of the Bow,

To echo what you said, archery was a respected activity among the noble 
classes throughout much of Europe. Archery was for the hunt, as well as 
for leisure, and nearly all nobles, ladies included, learned the bow. 
Three notable examples of noble archers were Henry VIII, who was a 
master archer in his youth; Antoine the Grand Bastard of Burgundy won 
the respected St. Stebastian's Tournament at Bruge; and Charles the Bold 
won the same tournament several times in the 1460s.

There were a number of noted Viking lords who were famous archers, as 
well as several Highland Scottish chiefs. I can dig up some information 
on the latter if anyone is interested.

The perception that archers were all bleeding peasants arises because IN 
BATTLE knights seldom used the bow and arrow (Scots and Vikings 
excepted). The sword, lance, mace, or axe were the honorable tools of a 
noble's trade. The French, in particular and with good reason, feared 
and hated English archers through their experiences in the Hundred Years 
War. Their notions, as well as similar prejudices of the English 
nobility (including the Robin Hood myth, with archery as a weapon of 
outlaws), poisoned the well throughout history among nobles. This 
continues in the SCA.

Lord Christophe's ideas about promoting archery are very good in a 
general for educating our populace, though I'm not certain they will 
change the entrenched attitudes our own nobility. Likely for some 
knights (but not all), the idea of admitting such rabble to their ranks 
would be the ruination of the SCA. Maybe they play the chivalry game too 
seriously.

If we have to dance to become peers, I'm sunk anyway.  :~)

Yours Aye,


Mungo

On 3/6/2012 8:18 AM, John Atkins wrote:
>
> (As Mungo starts his posts) My Fellows of the Bow,
>
> As we are discussing a peerage for archery let me suggest something 
> for us to contemplate.  Within the SCA archers and archery is not 
> perceived as a skilled activity.  There is the incorrect perception 
> that historically archers came from the lower classes.  Sir Jon on the 
> SCA Archery list has a very well researched and written article 
> refuting this misconception yet it persists in the SCA.  The second 
> point is that the heavy community is of the belief that once an 
> individual can no longer swing a stick or take the physical abuse of 
> heavy fighting they shoot archery "'cuz it's easy".
>
> So what are we to do?  At most events archery is tucked in the back 
> forty, out of sight and out of mind.  If, at every chance, we could 
> bring archery out in front of the populace they would begin to 
> understand that to hit a 4 inch bull's eye at 40 yards or more 
> consistently takes a great deal of skill.  Or getting off 6 -- 10 
> shafts in 30 seconds is not something just any ol' archer is capable 
> of.  The Grand Exhibition Tournament at Gulf Wars is one major effort 
> to bring archery to the populace.  Personally I would like to see it 
> improved to involve the spectators a bit more but it is a step in the 
> right direction.
>
> So the responsibility is on our collective shoulders -- bring archery 
> out from its hidden location in the back forty.  Show our skill to the 
> populace.  Perhaps then these erroneous perceptions of archers and the 
> skill level required to be a good archer will subside and respect for 
> our craft will increase.  We can only hope.........
>
> cog
>
>
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