Shootin' Arrows
A beginners course to 'real' archery provided by Samlesbury Longbow Archers.
The Longbow is generally believed to be the main factor responsible for the English victory at the battle the Agincourt in 1415. This simple weapon was so devastatingly effective and is now rising in popularity as a sport.
Leyland Round Table members will receive expert tuition in the traditional styles of shooting; practising its use as a medieval weapon just as it was for the medieval longbow man. Medieval dress is optional but French costumes aren't advised!
- Day:
- Thursday
- Date:
- 29th July 2010
- Time:
- 7:00pm
- Until:
- 10:00pm
- Venue:
- Preston Grasshoppers RFC, Lightfoot Green, Lightfoot Lane, Fulwood, Preston
- PR4 0AP
Details:
In 1415 King Henry V of England took a small army to France to try to enforce the English claim to the French throne. By late autumn things were not going well for the English. The weather was poor, yes it rains in France too, and Henry's army was short of provisions, exhausted, and badly stricken with dysentery. Henry decided to make for his stronghold at Calais for the winter and presumably the cheap supermarkets, but the French saw an opportunity to annihilate the English forces and advanced with a huge army to do battle.
The two armies met at the little village of Agincourt on the evening of 24 October, after the English forces had marched 260 miles in 17 days. King Henry's offer to buy peace was rejected (the pound against the Euro was as good then as it is now!), and on the following afternoon one of the decisive battles of the Hundred Years' War took place.
The battle of Agincourt has entered English folklore as no more than 6000 soldiers in the service of the English king faced about 50,000 French soldiers. Apart from the gross disparity in numbers, the other substantial difference between the two armies was in their use of the longbow. The English army was composed largely of bowmen (about 80%), whereas the French used virtually none.
The massive French cavalry charge was met by a storm of English arrows, as a result of which the cavalry fled back through the front columns of the French infantry. The English soldiers waded into the chaos armed with hatchets and billhooks and, backed up by their own small cavalry and the threat of their longbows, succeeded in dispersing the whole French army!
Having got to this point, hopefully all the members of Leyland Round Table will retire for food at the Phantom Winger and a much needed pint, with dysentery now behind us!
Enjoy a meal with us at the The Phantom Winger for 9:00pm
398 Garstang Road, Broughton, Preston, Lancashire. PR3 5JE
Interested in joining Leyland Round Table? Booking is essential as is good eyesight (glasses acceptable) and a sense of humour, please contact the organiser. We welcome even the French!
- Cost:
- £10 members / £15 non-members
- Extra Info:
- Casual
- Organised By:
- Leyland Round Table
- Event Contact:
- Contact Us
- Info:
- Samlesbury Longbow Archers
