The image of doughty English mediaeval archers is a common one that often inspires great pride and nationalistic fervour. Stories of the great arrow-storms which apparently defeated the French at Crecy or Azincourt are often told. Back at home, visitors to parish churches are frequently guided towards strange grooves in the walls which were apparently created by the very same archers whilst sharpening their arrowheads before going off to battle.
However, much of what we think that we know about mediaeval archery is derived from received wisdom. Using a close examination of the contemporary sources, buildings archaeology, anthropology and experimental archaeology this talk will attempt to better understand the lived experience of soldiers of the period.
The speaker, James Wright (Triskele Heritage), is an award winning buildings archaeologist. He has two decades professional experience of ferreting around in people’s cellars, hunting through their attics and digging up their gardens. He hopes to find meaningful truths about how ordinary and extraordinary folk lived their lives in the mediaeval period. He is the author of the popular Mediaeval Mythbusting Blog and his book Historic Building Mythbusting will be released via The History Press on 6 June 2024.
