Here is a list of books on traditional archery and/or the history of archery. If you would like to add your suggestion to this list, please contact the web master.
H I S T O R I C A L A R C H E R Y |
| ARROWSTORM - Richard Wadge | English Longbowman 1330-1515 - Clive Bartlett |
 
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In-depth look at what made English longbow archers so effective in battle, how their armament was made and what made them capable of drawing 100 pound bows. Discusses the economics of army supplies and the life of the 14th-15th century archer. Also in paperback
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"Describes the uniforms, weaponry, military practices and daily life of the English Longbowman, most often recalled in connection with Henry V's victory at Agincourt but, as this volume shows, widely used from the 11th century onwards."
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| The Great Warbow - Robert Hardy | Longbow - Robert Hardy |
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Explores "the bow and arrow as weapons of war. From before the Domesday Book, through Anglo-Saxon England, medieval Wales and Ireland, the crusades, Bannockburn and the Wars of the Roses, until the time of the Tudors." |
"Traces the history of the longbow in Britain, from its early beginnings [...] to its present-day status as a hunting and sporting weapon." Also offers information on making a longbow from scratch.
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| The Romance of Archery - Hugh D.H. Soar | The Crooked Stick - Hugh D.H. Soar |
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"(...) up until the introduction of firearms in the 16th century all boys were obliged to begin archery training at the age of six. But rather than disappear, the longbow began a new life as the centerpiece of recreational archery." |
"Although the longbow is best known for its deployment during the Hundred Years' War, its origins lie with ancient Saxon seafighters and Welsh craftsmen, while today the bow is a vibrant part of the traditional archery scene."
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| Secrets of the English War Bow - Hugh D.H. Soar
| The Medieval Archer - Jim Bradbury |
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"In addition to showing the complete manufacture of a bow from tree selection to stringing and how specialized arrowheads were forged and attached to shafts, [it] provides information on the actual performance of the war bow." |
"opens with a definition of the differing kinds of bows in use, and challenges the usual assumption that the "longbow" was a new and devastating weapon adopted by English armies from the late 13th century onwards."
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| Agincourt - Juliet Barker | Fighting Techniques of the Medieval World |
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"Agincourt took place on 25 October 1415 and was a turning-point not only in the Hundred Years War between England and France but also in the history of weaponry. [...] This book commemorates and analyses a canonical battle in British history." |
"This informative book describes the fighting techniques of soldiers in what has been characterised as the 'age of chivalry' and it shows in detail the methods by which armies gained and lost ascendancy on the battlefield."
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A R C H E R Y N A R R A T I V E / F I C T I O N |
| AZINCOURT - Bernard Cornwell | HEARTSTONE - C.J. Sansom |
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"An extraordinary and dramatic depiction of the legendary battle of Agincourt from the number one historical novelist."
"gripping account of the Agincourt campaign, seen through the eyes of a simple archer." |
A medieval detective novel in the Shardlake series (but readable as stand-alone) with lots of warbow in it, crediting Richard Wadge, Glennan Carnie and the EWBS as sources.
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AR C H E R Y / B O W M A K I N G T E C H N I Q U E S |
| The Traditional Bowyer's Bible volume 1 | The Traditional Bowyer's Bible volume 2 |
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Volume one introduces the traditional bow, seasoning and cutting wood, bow design and performance, finishes and handles, and much more.
Note: Being American what the authors call a longbow is, in most cases, a flat bow. |
Volume two covers ancient European bows, Eastern Woodland bows, recurves, strings, steel points, quivers, and much more.
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| The Traditional Bowyer's Bible volume 3 | The Traditional Bowyer's Bible volume 4 |
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Volume three covers tools, Korean and African archery, bows of the Plains Indians, custom shafts, stone points, and much more. |
Volume 4 is now out!
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| Toxophilus - Roger Ascham | Traditional Archers Handbook - Hilary Greenland |
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Toxophilus 'A lover of the bow' "justifies his love of archery as a pastime, puts forward his reasons for retaining the bow as a weapon of war instead of the newly favoured hand gun, and he gives practical instructions on the technique of shooting in the bow." First published: 1544. |
"This book is packed with information for all those interested in traditional archery, from the basics involved in taking up a traditional bow for the first time, to clear concise guidelines on making your own arrows, strings and bows."
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O T H E R A R C H E R Y T R A D I T I O N S |
| Zen Bow, Zen Arrow - John Stevens | Zen in the Art of Archery |
 
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"Here are the inspirational life and teachings of Awa Kenzo (1880-1939), the Zen and kyudo (archery) master who gained worldwide renown after the publication of Eugen Herrigel's cult classic Zen in the Art of Archery in 1953." |
"The path to achieving Zen (a balance between the body and the mind) is brilliantly explained by Professor Eugen Herrigel in this timeless account."
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| Making Indian Bows and Arrows ... the Old Way - Douglas Spotted Eagle | Bows & Arrows of the Native Americans - Jim Hamm |
 
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Here's a nod to a non-European form of traditional archery: a book on making Indian bows and arrows. |
The title of this book alone should give you plenty of information on its content, as the complete title is (here we go) "Bows & Arrows of the Native Americans: A Step-By-Step Guide to Wooden Bows, Sinew-Backed Bows, Composite Bows, Strings, Arrows & Quivers".
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| Bows of the World - David Gray | Traditional Archery from Six Continents |
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This work surveys the multiple varieties and peak achievements of the art of archery from around the world, covering primitive, traditional and modern bows from the civilizations of North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. |
The Charles E. Grayson Archery Collection is "one of the largest and most comprehensive assemblages of archery-related materials in the world. This handsome book drawn from that collection offers a unique look at archery as it has been practiced through the ages."
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O T H E R P R O D U C T S |
| Robin of Sherwood | Robin Hood [2006] |
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Box set of all 26 episodes of this 80s series, with Michael Praed (s 1&2) / Jason Connery (s 3) as Robin. Also available per season: Complete Series 1
Complete Series 2
Series 3, Part 1 - Episodes 1-6
Series 3, Part 2 - Episodes 7-13
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This DVD box set includes all thirteen episodes of season 1 of the latest BBC series of "Robin Hood". |
 
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| Bow and 4 Arrows with Large Target (TOY) | Straw Target and Stand with faces |
 
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Nice little starter set, to see if there's any potential there...
Bamboo Bow 87cms, 4 Arrows, Large 46cm Target, Spare Bow String, Sturdy Carry Bag.
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For practicing at home. Kit includes: 90cmx90cm straw target boss, target stand, assorted target faces, target face pins. |
 
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