I’ve been craving a shot at English Medieval Archery for ages so, I finally summoned the courage to venture forth and get in touch with the local crew at Dorset Medieval Archery. I booked myself an afternoon of coaching, ready to channel my inner Robin Hood—with the hope that I would avoid shooting an arrow straight into a tree!
The experience costs £35 per person and involves learning some of the history of archery, a shooting lesson and some games. Its also based in the grounds of the Gaggle of Geese pub in Buckland Newton, Dorset, so you can have a pint and a pub lunch.
I desperately hoped that I would manage to leave more arrows in the target than in the bushes—or at least that was the goal!
English medieval archery is an interesting part of British history, known for its impact on warfare, society, and culture from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries. The image of the English longbowman is famous, symbolizing skill and strength of the English army during the Middle Ages.
The longbow was the defining weapon of English archers. Typically crafted from yew, ash, or elm, the longbow was over 1.8 metres in length and required significant strength and training to master. Its power and range—capable of piercing armour at over 200 yards—made it a formidable force on the battlefield.
Archery in medieval England was both a crucial military skill and a social institution, mandated by laws like the Assize of Arms. Regular practice was required for all able-bodied men, often taking place on Sunday afternoons at archery ranges. Men began training from the age of seven, allowing their bodies to adapt to the demands of archery. Mastery of technique was essential, as archers needed to shoot rapidly and accurately in battle. An average archer could fire 10-12 arrows per minute, effectively countering cavalry and disrupting infantry formations.
When archaeologists dug up the skeletons of archers from the Tudor warship Mary Rose, they discovered that the archers’ left arms (the bow arm) and shoulder bones were much thicker and misshapen due to years of pulling heavy bows.
English archers were crucial in many famous battles of the Hundred Years’ War, such as Crécy (1346), Poitiers (1356), and Agincourt (1415). At Agincourt, a smaller English army, which depended on archers, defeated a larger French force. The rain of arrows from thousands of longbowmen caused great damage to the French troops, proving the strength of the English archery unit.
English medieval archery was more than a military tactic; it was a foundation of English society and a key element in the country’s medieval success. The discipline and effectiveness of the English archer changed the face of European warfare and left an indelible mark on the history of Britain.
So, did I hit the target? Heck yeah! I hit it so well I probably made Robin Hood jealous – especially since I didn’t accidentally send a single arrow into the woods like some deranged woodpecker. And to top it all off, in a sheer act of luck that even a cat with nine lives would envy, I managed to pop a balloon! I wholeheartedly recommend English archery to anyone brave enough. Just be warned: your shoulders will remind you of your life choices the next day…
Langley History UK 