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M'Lord Christophe and Noble Friends of the Bow,<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
If we have to dance to become peers, I'm sunk anyway. :~)<br>
<br>
Yours Aye,<br>
<br>
<br>
Mungo<br>
<br>
On 3/6/2012 8:18 AM, John Atkins wrote:
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(31,
73, 125);">(As Mungo starts his posts) My Fellows of the
Bow,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(31,
73, 125);">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”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(31,
73, 125);"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(31,
73, 125);">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(31,
73, 125);"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(31,
73, 125);">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………<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(31,
73, 125);"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(31,
73, 125);">cog</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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