Armament - Page 7 of 9 - Longbows
The majority of the arrow were
made of poplar, others were made of beech, ash and hazel. Draw
lengths of the arrows varied between 61 and 81 centimetres with
the majority having a draw length of 76 centimetres.
Only small fragments of the feathering survives. These have been identified as either goose or, more probably, swan. The arrows had a nock cut into the ends, with a horn reinforcer inserted at right angles to it. The arrow heads have completely rusted away.
Replica flights and binding
Other items of archery equipment recovered include arrow spacers - leather discs with holes for 24 arrows in them. Stitch marks round the edge of the disc indicate that there was a fabric sleeve attached to protect the shafts. The sleeve was single ended and only protected the lower part of the shafts. There would have been a drawstring at the lower end, enabling the archer to withdraw the arrows by pulling them downwards through the disc.
Ivory wristguard, leather wristguard and Replica arrow
heads
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