Submitted 15 July 1996
When Giovanni asked for help with the next issue of On Target, I thought to give a heavy's-eye (sorry, a Fully Armoured Fighter) view of combat archery in the SCA. But other thoughts and ideas cropped up, so I decided to ramble on a little about each. If you would be kind enough to indulge a heat-addled rattan monkey . . .
To screen or not to screen . . .
Yes, I am one heavy who hates archery screening. Most of it is ugly, the tape leaves residue for a month afterward, and I feel like I'm at one of those old time movies where the images flicker and make me nauseous. This doesn't mean that I disagree with the purpose. Flying splinters and sharp broken ends in the face grill, even from some well-taped shafts are no joke. A one-eyed fighter is at a disadvantage.
But wait and behold! Change may be on the horizon. During 3YC, Sir Jon Fitz-Rauf, who heads the IKAC and IKCAC, held a meeting with the archers of the Known World to discuss the state of archery in the Society, both target and combat. The subject of combat archery was the most popular. Sir Jon produced a set of combat arrows that he had been experimenting with for the past year. They consisted of fiberglass shafts with "thistle missile" heads (the muckin' great blunts from the West). Sir Jon bent one almost in half before it would break, and in fact had to use some effort to do so. The broken ends of the shaft were fuzzy, not sharp and of course the large blunts can't pass through the grill.
Hooray! Less potential for injury and a chance to get rid of the darn screening. Also less arrow attrition due to fighters stepping on arrows whether by accident or not (more on that later).
Another option that was discussed was the use of clear lexan plastic in place of the screening as long as the piece had a "proof mark" to ensure it wasn't the cheap kind that will shatter on impact. I could live with this as an alternative to wire. I hope to hear more about this later.
As mentioned above, I have heard on different occasions, including Guards War just past, about heavies intentionally stepping on arrows because they don't like lights. THIS IS WRONG! THIS IS DISHONORABLE! To me, this act is the same as if someone came into a heavy's camp and sawed his rattan in half because they didn't like heavy fighters being able to kill from ten feet away. It is also costly to the victim because they must replace arrows in order to play in the next war or one-on-one competition. And the parts ain't free, folks.
I realize I'm mostly preaching to the choir on this one. I'm also speaking as a heavy who knows that archers on the field were common and are historically accurate. Archers are the ones who have broken armies, not only at Agincourt and Crecy, but at Autumn War and An Tir-West.
When I fight heavy, I'll cuss an archer in a tower in a minute, mostly in frustration from being put out of the fight before I really get there. In the same breath I will also acknowledge a well placed arrow from a skilled archer. The majority of those shots are NOT accidents as some would believe. But you will never, NEVER find me intentionally stepping on arrows, destroying someone else's property. I feel badly enough about the ones I step on by accident.
Enough said. I hope people will read and heed.
String, string a song . . .
One personal highlight of 3YC was a Flemish wrap string making class done on the stage. Lord Thomas Blackkeep patiently instructed groups of five and six on string construction using a 28 inch string jig. The jig has nails at measured points for different length bows and for different poundages. It was the very first string I had made myself and it turned out very well. I would pass along the handout for those who would like to make one except that, well, let's just say that I was tired enough after ten days to basically just fling everything in the car and go. Consequently, some things, including the jig plan went to the same place where single socks go. If anyone has a copy and could get one to me I would be grateful. It is a wonderful and simple tool, and with the various colors of string threads available, you can make simply dazzling Flemish wrap bowstrings.
Well, that's my two pence. Any discussion or feedback is welcome. Being that I don't happen to own my own philosopher's engine, I have no way to retrieve anything from the Ether. Catch me at events.
