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Banner image with gratefull thank for use of the photo by Adam Monaghan for Jacobite Enterprises
Banner image with gratefull thank for use of the photo by Adam Monaghan for Jacobite Enterprises
The English War Bow Society
A Society is Born
About the Society
The English War Bow Society (EWBS) was formed on the 23rd May 2008 at an annual two day shooting event at Batsford, England. All those present agreed upon the need for a new organisation dedicated to those who practice the skills and techniques required to shoot the military English longbow.
The aim of the English Warbow Society is:
• To promote and perpetuate the shooting and heritage of the English warbow.
• To encourage wider participation in the shooting of the warbow
• To encourage war bowyery, stringing and fletching
• To increase our understanding of the weapon and its use
The society also organises shoots, standards and events for its members to enjoy in the company of like-minded archers.
The society is a non profit making organisation, it has no political affiliations and exists purely for the shooting benefit of its members. Although the society is not a re-enactment society there is a strong emphasis on developing the techniques of the late middle ages - that is 'strong shooting in the bow' - with help, coaching and encouragement for those who wish to progress.
The society exists in its own right and as such is not affiliated to GNAS, BLBS, NFAS or FITA in any way; although the Society welcomes dialogue with those bodies. Membership is open to all archers throughout the world interested in shooting in this style, although shoots will only be organised initially within the United Kingdom.
Officers of the Society
At the meeting the officers of the Society were proposed an elected. They are:
Patron: Hugh Soar
Hugh Soar needs no introduction to the archery world. For many years he has been one the pillars of the War Bow community, organising the BL-BS standard arrow compition. Hugh is an accomplished and respected author on the War Bow, writing many books including 'Secrets of the English Warbow' and has also written countless magazine articles.
Chairman and Treasurer: Richard Wadge
Richard Wadge is a respected archer and highly regarded for his integrity and character. Having studied Medieval history he became a Tutor at Oxford and, now retired, he has turned his hand to writing on the subject of the Warbow and the Medieval archer. His first book 'Arrowstorm' was the result of ten year's research and is now regarded as one of the finest works on the subject. Richard shoots heavy War Bows and has previously served as a GNAS coach.
Secretary: Steve Matthews
Steve Mathews served for many years in the British Army with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Now a keen archer he fulfills the role of Secretary and Tournament Organiser for his club in Devon, as well as being the pro for Devon and Cornwall Archery Society (DCAS).
Membership Secretary: Alan Blackham
Alan Blackham, although recent to archery, has gained considerable respect amongst his peers. Already an accomplished bowyer, Alan has investigated the 'side nock' found on the HMS Mary Rose and advanced our knowledge of it.
Financial Arrangements
The society exists as a non profit making organisation, all finacial dealings are properly accounted for and will be published at the end of every year for scrutiny. At the end of each year any surplus will be divided between the Mary Rose Trust, the EWBS nominated charity, and replacing targets as needed.
Events
The Society aims to organise shooting events for its members which reflect the shooting styles of medieval English and Welsh military archers. These shoots include roving marks, clout, wand, butt shooting (note, this does not mean modern target archery rounds), field and heavy arrow distance shooting. Flight shooting, although having little historical reference, is also supported.
Scores, standards and records will also be recorded for the BL-BS Standard Arrow, the EWBS Livery arrow, the Military Arrow and flight arrows.
All other events are in the spirit of friendly competition between fellow archers in their membership categories with no pressure to record scores if the archer so wishes.
Shooting Equipment:
The Bow
The English Warbow was the bow the longbow used in battle by the Plantagenet and Tudor armies of the 14th, 15th and 16th Centuries. The EWBS defines a warbow to be a bow that follows the pattern, profile and tiller of the bows found on the Mary Rose.
The Society imposes a lower limit on bow draw-weight for adult males (70lb at a measured 32” of draw), although there is no lower weight limit for women, juniors and archers over 60. In order to encourage beginners, further allowance is made for a new member’s first year.
Bows are organised into three classes for the purpose of recording scores at events:
Mary Rose: Self yew bows
Meane: Self bows made of other woods available to the medieval bowyer, such as Ash or Elm.
Laminate: Non historical Bows: made from multiple layers of (exotic) woods. Any laminated bow would be in this class, exotic or otherwise, as would backed bows and self bows of wood not used in the above period by Anglo-Welsh armies (e.g. osage).
Arrows
Arrows must be generally representative of medieval arrows in size, weight and proportion. Arrows must be of wood and fletched with feathers. Only Self-nocked arrows are permitted for the adult categories; with the exception of flight arrows where plastic nocks may be used. Heads must be appropriate for the arrow’s role.
The English War Bow Society (EWBS) was formed on the 23rd May 2008 at an annual two day shooting event at Batsford, England. All those present agreed upon the need for a new organisation dedicated to those who practice the skills and techniques required to shoot the military English longbow.
The aim of the English Warbow Society is:
• To promote and perpetuate the shooting and heritage of the English warbow.
• To encourage wider participation in the shooting of the warbow
• To encourage war bowyery, stringing and fletching
• To increase our understanding of the weapon and its use
The society also organises shoots, standards and events for its members to enjoy in the company of like-minded archers.
The society is a non profit making organisation, it has no political affiliations and exists purely for the shooting benefit of its members. Although the society is not a re-enactment society there is a strong emphasis on developing the techniques of the late middle ages - that is 'strong shooting in the bow' - with help, coaching and encouragement for those who wish to progress.
The society exists in its own right and as such is not affiliated to GNAS, BLBS, NFAS or FITA in any way; although the Society welcomes dialogue with those bodies. Membership is open to all archers throughout the world interested in shooting in this style, although shoots will only be organised initially within the United Kingdom.
Officers of the Society
At the meeting the officers of the Society were proposed an elected. They are:
Patron: Hugh Soar
Hugh Soar needs no introduction to the archery world. For many years he has been one the pillars of the War Bow community, organising the BL-BS standard arrow compition. Hugh is an accomplished and respected author on the War Bow, writing many books including 'Secrets of the English Warbow' and has also written countless magazine articles.
Chairman and Treasurer: Richard Wadge
Richard Wadge is a respected archer and highly regarded for his integrity and character. Having studied Medieval history he became a Tutor at Oxford and, now retired, he has turned his hand to writing on the subject of the Warbow and the Medieval archer. His first book 'Arrowstorm' was the result of ten year's research and is now regarded as one of the finest works on the subject. Richard shoots heavy War Bows and has previously served as a GNAS coach.
Secretary: Steve Matthews
Steve Mathews served for many years in the British Army with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Now a keen archer he fulfills the role of Secretary and Tournament Organiser for his club in Devon, as well as being the pro for Devon and Cornwall Archery Society (DCAS).
Membership Secretary: Alan Blackham
Alan Blackham, although recent to archery, has gained considerable respect amongst his peers. Already an accomplished bowyer, Alan has investigated the 'side nock' found on the HMS Mary Rose and advanced our knowledge of it.
Financial Arrangements
The society exists as a non profit making organisation, all finacial dealings are properly accounted for and will be published at the end of every year for scrutiny. At the end of each year any surplus will be divided between the Mary Rose Trust, the EWBS nominated charity, and replacing targets as needed.
Events
The Society aims to organise shooting events for its members which reflect the shooting styles of medieval English and Welsh military archers. These shoots include roving marks, clout, wand, butt shooting (note, this does not mean modern target archery rounds), field and heavy arrow distance shooting. Flight shooting, although having little historical reference, is also supported.
Scores, standards and records will also be recorded for the BL-BS Standard Arrow, the EWBS Livery arrow, the Military Arrow and flight arrows.
All other events are in the spirit of friendly competition between fellow archers in their membership categories with no pressure to record scores if the archer so wishes.
Shooting Equipment:
The Bow
The English Warbow was the bow the longbow used in battle by the Plantagenet and Tudor armies of the 14th, 15th and 16th Centuries. The EWBS defines a warbow to be a bow that follows the pattern, profile and tiller of the bows found on the Mary Rose.
The Society imposes a lower limit on bow draw-weight for adult males (70lb at a measured 32” of draw), although there is no lower weight limit for women, juniors and archers over 60. In order to encourage beginners, further allowance is made for a new member’s first year.
Bows are organised into three classes for the purpose of recording scores at events:
Mary Rose: Self yew bows
Meane: Self bows made of other woods available to the medieval bowyer, such as Ash or Elm.
Laminate: Non historical Bows: made from multiple layers of (exotic) woods. Any laminated bow would be in this class, exotic or otherwise, as would backed bows and self bows of wood not used in the above period by Anglo-Welsh armies (e.g. osage).
Arrows
Arrows must be generally representative of medieval arrows in size, weight and proportion. Arrows must be of wood and fletched with feathers. Only Self-nocked arrows are permitted for the adult categories; with the exception of flight arrows where plastic nocks may be used. Heads must be appropriate for the arrow’s role.