@@PeterSolerom it was a thing of beauty and never to be underestimated. Guns are great but a determined and skilled bowman can and will end your day in a bad way
One of the better lines. It's exactly something you'd expect with a rifle would say. Those were professional.soldiers , no different than a modern ar4 ooerator
I liked the way that, especially in the first part of the video, you reacted to a myth then calmly turned and shot an arrow directly into the head each time. That's style :D .
We're military arrow heads designed to break off when they struck? To avoid giving ammo to the enemy? A bit like Roman throwing spears? Would hunting arrows have been different? As to the archers being professional seems a bit odd title. Thought they were organised vasel farmers mandated to train periodically and to answer for muster in case of war. Few pro's perhaps in permanent funded garrisons and perhaps marshals for organising training and disciplining the archers.
My dad & uncle were reenactment guys, archers, huntsmen, and history buffs. I lost them both in the past few years. Thank you Mr. Hicks for being a TH-cam father figure ❤
2.35 in the video....Sir, you had and now DEFINITELY have my respect for your craftmanship in regards to shooting arrows....that shot, from the hip in modern gunslinging terms; wauww...I bow in respect, Kevin ❤
When you watched “Robin Hood” you were fascinated by the way the arrows sounded and it inspired you to start shooting. When I saw “Robin Hood” I was fascinated by the Foley effects guys and how they created the sound that we now associate with an arrow in flight. (Don’t get me started on the metal-scraping-metal sound of swords being unsheathed) That inspired me to start recording. I love sound effects and I get a thrill up my spine whenever I hear a producer use them on a record!
Looks like this is the first video I'm watching with breakfast on my birthday, now that's an awesome start to my day. Edit: So many wishes! Truly, Kevin gathers such a kind community. Thank you, to all of you!
Something notable about heavy draw bows in war: Commanders actually anticipated soldiers on campaign getting weaker the longer they were out in the field. Often soldiers were overworked, malnourished, etc. and where they might have been able to wield their bow with ease when the campaign began, but when they're sick and/or starving it's a different story. There are sources from the 1500s in which English commanders complain about the bowmen they're receiving, who are plenty strong when they join, but lose the strength to draw their bows after a month or two in the field.
“oh, you’re not a bowman.” *fires a perfect bullseye*“well that’s gone right between his eyes”…that’s a hat doff moment right there 😎 it has been 32 years since the last time i ever shot an arrow and seeing that small target hit from that distance while talking and showing some insult over that snide remark against archers earned massive respect especially thanks to the historical accuracy.
It's refreshing to see a guy, who doesn't treat archery like it's complicated science. There are so many archery channels on YT that do that. Meanwhile Kevin does a short draw with an arrow of unknown spine and hits perfectly :D
Also most Men at Arms would only have frontal plate and mail for the rest. Only the wealthiest knights would have been able to afford full plate for themselves and their retinues. The average infantryman would have been lucky to have a mail long shirt and a helmet. Also the archers were obviously also trained in Melee and probably had side arms like short swords or spears Spears were much cheaper to make than swords and can be made out of branches if you have a knife.
My worst pet peeve with Hollywood or any other type of media is when they shout "fire!" as a command to archers to shoot their arrows. I always give bonus points to movies or anything else that do it right.
"fire?", "where?" commanding longbowmen to wait before shooting is almost guarantied to get you hated by the men lesser so organised volleys like far later but moreso getting the men to wait til the time was right to start shooting ( you may want them closer than max range so if they take flight you can shill shoot or to wait til your infantry can cover you or is ready to take the hit from the opposing force you just convinced to charge )
They would say "Loose" or maybe, "Shoot." And if the archers were told to wait, none of them would make a full draw and hold that position for long because it would exhaust them. If they would wait, then the arrows might be nocked but the bows would not be drawn until they are ready to shoot.
I loved archery in high school. I was a short, sinewy girl who stunned the instructor with the way I used the long bow. Apparently I was good - until I sneezed while releasing, and the bow string scraped across my face, chest, and left arm. I did enjoy archery, though.
Ouch, I felt that reading it. Personally do not know a single archer who has not felt the kiss of the string on their arm or wrist at least once though! Had a bow string snap on me at full draw once, which was not pleasant, and also largely my own fault. It was perhaps not the best way to learn to check your strings and never shoot a worn bow string!
That was a very fun video as a person who was heavily into bowmanship for my whole teenage and young adult years. Most of my younger years I used a 35-40lb bow, but I did use a 100-110lb bow towards the end without difficulty. If your life is centered around being an archer - and I tended to practice every day with my bow - you can shoot a 110 or 120lb bow all day after a certain point of conditioning yourself for years. Bows are such a fascinating weapon, and what kind of bow and what weight of draw and arrow types they use can tell you a lot about what kind of archer they are and what tactics they would theoretically use on the field. It's very similar to my swordsmanship training all the way from when I was a child until I was an adult - the weapon they use, what stances they use, and their pacing for attack and defense told me quite a bit about their teacher, their personality, and what kind of mindset they had as a fighter. Great video, and I appreciate you dispelling some of the myths that float around the newbies these days. I enjoyed the watch. Stay strong and keep teaching like you're doing. It's great for the younger generations to get in touch with history and a healthy hobby.
For a long time time i got hung up on shooting heavy and heavier longbows, but 'EVENTUALLY' common sense and logic took over and i realized exactly what you have mentioned here. Another great video.
Hi Kevin, Pergamos was well protected in 82/83 with your little armoury. My youngest son is in the RAF and is a bow shooter. He has a long bow which he loves to use. He has represented the RAF in Inter Service competitions. I really enjoy your postings and so does my neighbour who also is into bows and arrows. Keep them coming. 🐒
I knew I recognised your face, I saw you years ago at Wales Archery when I was picking up some bits, it's a lovely shop and the staff are so knowledgeable, and opening that huge door with the cow-bell almost takes you back in time.
Another great video. I saw you a few times at Warwick, and your show was always the highlight of the day. I even acted as timekeeper for you once. Subscribed.
Sir Thomas Erpingham of Erpingham in the County of Norfolk was at Agincourt, I believe. Just down the road from Erpingham village is the Town of Aylsham. Its Buttlands still exists, albeit in the form of a car park and somewhat shortened. It amazes me that they could see the target, let alone hit it. I often park there and wonder what tales it could tell.
👍 Sir Thomas Erpingham is buried at Norwich Cathedral but his grave appears to have been moved or lost and they buried a bishop on top instead. 😳. I was so sad to hear this.
"Well it thine age became O noble Erpingham Who didst the signal aim To our hid forces, When from a wood nearby Like a storm, suddenly The English archery Stuck the French horses"...
On your point regarding weight, I feel like people underestimate it. 60lb or even 45lb isn’t a whole lot of weight but when it’s force is focused on the sharp tip of an arrow head it becomes pretty devastating. With decent shot placement a 45lb bow can take down a whitetail.
Richard green and robin hood. Brilliant. We were the first family to get a small black and white TV. In our tiny kitchen (which was the living room because the kitchen was the scullery) there were about 20 local children crammed in to watch robin hood. My mother was a very kind lady who allowed this because everyone had very little. Imagine the battles after the show ended with our home made bows! Thanks Kevin. It all came flooding back.
What? the second arrow went high... Even if you aimed lower, and hit the head and chest... it's redundant. That's the point in the video. You CAN do it, but it's just wasting an arrow.
@@Sandwichking-hikes Yes!....Ere, is that Kevin Hicks in the front rows of Archers?....yes?...... Er.....I think it's time for tea chaps or should I say "oh maird". 😂😂😂
@@ducomaritiem7160 Oh God yes!! I am a Bowman myself and shoot numerous different English longbows. After a good few years I'm not too bad and can shoot well instinctively without having to aim.....not that I have anything to aim with! But I'm sure you know what I mean. You teach yourself to shoot where you are looking. I am not in Kevin's league but our shooting styles are virtually identical. I don't shoot anything heavier than my 52 or 53# Yew selfbows. And a number of really nice 48# laminated bows that Pip Bickerstaffe made for me. Kevin's 7' 4" Yew bow was originally about a 90# draw weight. Dave.
@@ifIOnlyHadABrian Only about 5 - 6% of the casualties of most medieval battles occurred during the actual fighting. So no, sorry to burst your fantasy. Most of the casualties occurred when one side broke, and were pursued. Also in most cases the guys in the best armour were in the first couple of lines, and these were the very people who were LEAST likely to be simply killed out of hand, because decent armour meant wealth, and wealth, meant ransom money. Kill a man with good armour and you will be able to loot his armour. Take him prisoner and not only do you get to loot his armour, but you also get to ransom him back to his family... Sure people absolutely did die, but your assumption that everyone on the front line of a medieval battle died is so inaccurate it made me spit my coffee out with laughter....
Hello mate. Steve here, from Rochester kent. Made my first longbow. Out of Hazel. Shoots ok. Started making me own arrows know. Happy New year. God bless
As always, another great video. Im in the process of making my first homemade bow out of Osage. Can't wait till it's finished and sending arrows across the backyard. Thanks for another great video.
Hi Anders, thank you so much for the SUPER, it's most kind of you. I had fun doing these videos and though the snow is on the ground now until spring, I still have a couple more to release. Thanks again & stay tuned. Kevin 👍
Hi Anders, YT is doing weird things with my comments at the moment, but I hope you saw my reply to thank you for the very kind SUPER you've sent me. I'm glad you enjoyed the shooting 👍
Folk often forget that archers were basically light infantry, with mounted archers the dragoons of their day (ride to a position or battle then dismount to fight). They were skilled fighters (or killers as Kevin would have it) and could use a variety of arms in addition to their own short swords etc.
Sure Sure but ordering bowmen to Charge is dumb in my opinion thats Like saying that the velites should Charge a Phalanx. Sure Archer you are a great Fighter but you aint heavy infantry Fall Back and flank when the lines are Locked in the melee. If you throw bowmen to Charge the Commander IS Desperate
@@laisphinto6372 Then explain why this was often the case? The Longbowmen of the medieval English Armies were not feudal levies, they were professional soldiers. Many of them actually had access to significant armour. Its not going to be as heavy as the men at arms or the knights, but its far from non existent. The fact is these men WERE used in such a manner, and there ARE historical accounts of such archers becoming extremely wealthy due to the capture and ransoming of nobles. Given how the ransom system worked at the time you HAD to be the person to actually capture said noble to be eligible to demand ransom, which meant you HAD to be in the fight..... A wealthy English Archer of the time would have been wearing decent armour. Most of these guys came from the Yeoman class, which were the wealthy farmers and artisans and lower rungs of the merchant classes that eventually became what we now refer to as the middle class. They were not only able to afford better protection for themselves, but were also far better able to put the time required to constantly practice with the longbow.
I watched it as soon as I got the notification! Another great video Kevin. I’ve already got some compliments on my arrow in its stand 😁, the green threading on the feathers is very cool it looks complicated
First time I’ve seen a real archer work, and also got all the true history I love. Many thanks for sharing such skill and knowledge about what actually happened during these terrible battles. You gave us such common sense responses to questions about war that most people would never even think of.
@joanp105, Yes, he certainly is a true Archer. You can only get that good through years of practice!! I too am a longbow Archer and have practiced for many years. I am certainly not a patch on Kevin, but after years of practice and you and the bow are warmed up, you can just draw and shoot quickly without actually aiming or anchoring. Just drawing and loosing in quick succession. It's a great feeling, but it does take practice, practice & more practice. There is no quick way to instinctive Archery. Kevin is an amazing guy and an amazing Archer. I never get fed up of watching him!! Best wishes, Dave.
The film Ivanhoe 1952 when the Normans came out of the castle and forced back by the hail of arrows. they shut the gate and about 50 arrows was fired and stuck in the door just as the Normans closed it. One of the most memorable moments for me
My very late Uncle had an arrow smith's anvil and it was square with notches in it to shape the bodkin points, and they could be square or triangular points, and some of these arrows were reputed to be sheathed in hide and greased under the green hide with bird fat, goose or poultry, and sometimes animal fat which enhanced penetration of armour--and the three sided points took longer to forge than the four sided bodkin but were superior. Archers also carried an archer's maul, an iron headed club which could also be used as a crutch or a steadying seat. A full strength bow for a strong man was considered to have a draw weight of one hundredweight (one hundred and twelve pounds) , but most were less than this and only a few were more. What my uncle told me was that the best arrows were hardened by quenching them several times in fermented cattle urine. You would know better than he I should imagine, but he told me that archers did not as a rule draw to their ear in the heat of battle, but only to their nose or lips, it being quicker and more accurate and a good archer could have three arrows in flight at once if the range was of sufficient distance to allow time for it. I would have to see it to believe it though. Arrows travel quickly with eighty pounds of draw weight behind them but he did say one other thing--that some arrows used in warfare and made in a hurry were fletched with a thin piece of leather threaded through or more likely whipped to the shaft, especially for crossbow arrows. Uncle Jim was interested in ancient weapons. As for poisoned arrows, I do not know about English archers but it is said that some archers dipped their arrows in carrion so as to transmit infection in any wounds sustained thereby.
I visited a Warwick Castle special event day around June 2003, shortly before I was deployed to Iraq with my TA medical unit and there, was inspired by a practical demonstration and scintillating performance by 'the mighty bowman'. These years later I'm watching your videos and considering making my own bow, and wondering if you are the bowman that entertained me those years ago. He was definitely younger looking, but so was I. Enjoying your content, thanks, Phil.
Another amazing video. With your passion for the bow. I'd like to know your thoughts on Otzi and his equipment and bow. Might be an idea for a video. All the best to you and your family.❤
Nice video, straight to the point with demonstrations, not spoken in a rush where you need to pay attention to see if you don't miss something in the middle of all complicated talk. Well done. That last scene you explained about that long shot against the running horseman, how easy would that be in reality? Could you do it at first try?
Kevin - great instructive video! Surely the bow was most used at the sort of distance you are shooting at, because in medieval times most bowmen learned their skill stalking and killing game, where that would be the typical maximum distance?
You taught me something I never knew once, Kevin. When I was an apprentice draughtsman I attended 'The Butt's College in Coventry. I did not know that Butts was the shooting range for archers back in the day, especially the end where the targets are. Thanks for that Kev. Fred Dinage..HOW!!
For the Myth 4, I think the reason medieval archers didn't raise their bows upwards to the sky and loose the arrows was because it was inaccurate. They would have wasted so many arrows just to hit the target, even if the target is stationary. They fired straight and waited for their targets to come closer so that the arrows would be penetrative and more accurate shooting. I feel that it is hard enough to hit a moving target, especially a guy on a moving horse. Basing on Todd's Workshop (another good history YT channel), a very good quality armour definitely can stop arrows, but I'm sure not every knight on a horse could afford a good quality armour. I'm sure that armours, especially in the Battle of Agincourt, had varying degrees of quality. Some were better, some were not as good. If an archer can fatally hit the target with one arrow, it was usually a lucky hit on an open face or weaker joints of the armour. One more thing, if a guy on a horse is charging at you, I'm sure you, as an archer, would be very nervous to shoot accurately even if you are well-trained, right?
But archers *did* shoot upward for targets at distance as it would be necessary for targets beyond about 30 yards. it is documented in manuscript and tapestry that bows were shot with elevation rather than just point on when required for distant targets. And as someone who shoots routinely at 70-90 meters myself I guarantee you it would not be inaccurate by any measure. Once you can get the elevation correct a well shot arrow will drift only by the wind which you can also read and account for, be that crosswind, headwind, or tailwind.
I imagine the conception of archers loosing their arrows in an arc is due to how they're often depicted in period artwork. Which in turn is due to the technique's used when shooting really heavy bows. You tilt your body upwards temporarily during the drawing motion in order to engage as much as your body as possible. I'm sure there were cases where archers shot in a high arc to get extra range, but with the decreased accuracy and lessened impact from such shots I imagine it would mostly be used against really large formations of enemies or as a medieval version of 'pinning fire'. Not so much to cause casualties but rather annoy or disrupt enemy forces.
@@Aalienik The reason I disagree is a matter of simple physics. Lets imagine a man 1.75 meters tall. An object dropped from this height will land in 0.6ish seconds. So assuming you shoot level to the ground, your arrow will hit the ground in 0.6 seconds as an arrow once off the bow is essentially in free flight. If you take an relatively quick longbow speed of about 170 feet per second or so, that means it will *hit the ground in 102 feet or 31 meters* or so - and only if you ignore drag and the fact that he doesn't shoot it from the top of his head but lower down ... Archers at war obviously could have, and would have shot at targets far further than this. The only way to get an arrow to any reasonable distance is to cast it upward by some measure, and with arrows with the drag of the type shot from a typical heavy warbow you *must* cast them upward. Fighting precision with a warbow upward of 100 meters is entirely possible. Check out "Shooting from Battlements! - How much further does it go!?" on Tod Cutler's youtube channel , featuring Joe Gibbs shooting a 140lb bow.
@@thecarrot4412 Yeah, you'll always need to shoot with some degree of an arc unless you're really close. I was mostly thinking about really arced shots of like 45 degrees and more.
Nor I. I'd always heard about the brutality of medieval warfare, of course, but it was seeing the trauma on the skeletons from Towton and Gottland that truly brought it home to me. The relentless hacking and bashing is horrifying.
@@thomasbell7033 I was once in the SCA, a medieval re-enactment group, and it was against the "rules" to strike a blow below the waist in battle. Imagine how I felt when it was discovered that many of the dead at Gottland showed signs of deliberate strikes to the legs and feet, meant to disable the opponent before the kill. ='[.]'=
We still have repeats, inspired by ethnic, sectarian and religious views, ie Rwanda (1994), that are at least as brutal and have an even larger body count.
I killed a deer with a 75# longbow when I was 16 YO. I never had a heavier bow than that. Fifty two years and two heart operations later I am shooting a 40# longbow. Historians tell us that we are considerably taller and healthier men now, so how they managed 120# bows, 700 years ago is a mystery to me.
It's definitely constant training from a young age. But is also technique. If you watch Joe Gibbs, you can see how he uses every muscle in his body to draw his bows (up to 215lbs). That would be impossible with the modern shooting form. That's also something games and movies get so wrong. Bows require a LOT of strength. And you can't keep them drawn for more than a few seconds.
Sure we are healthier now we are in our 60s then they did back then. But we live a soft life compared to them. If you wanted fuel for the fire you had to go out and chop some. If you wanted hey for your animals you had to go out and cut some and then lift it up and put it in the barn. There are just a number of things that a man had to do in his regular duties of life that needed strength. People today compared to people 700 years ago or nothing but marshmallows.
It's because they used their whole body to draw, not just their arms, watch Joe Gibbs shoot his 210lbs longbow, then watch how he has trouble drawing a modern 130lbs compound bow (in Tod's channel), it's because you can't use the historical technique to draw modern compound bows. I assume you're drawing your bows with a modern technique.
Agreed....... Think I saw one guy shooting arrows as far as he could but he was like a contortionist, almost coiling his whole body up before each shot. Definitely an eye opener after years of watching Robin Hood etc.
Sure, we have snow here now in Canada, but I shot another two videos before the snow came so they'll be released in the coming months 👍 Did you see the one on the anatomy of the bow? I've also done a couple on making & repairing arrows 👍
0:47, I have read somewhere that it was common for Archers to collect horse dung and put a pile in front of them with their arrows stuck in it so that if the arrow just scratched someone they got tetanus and died after the battle. Seems to make sense, particularly against the French who were particularly nasty to captured archers.
They spit on them. That's where cursing comes from, saying a nasty thought then spit on the arrow. It cursed the arrow. Archery culture. The middle finger too. It's the finger that killed them
@@DjMakurimaru Wrong, its the First and Middle finger, the ones you pulled the string with, which is English for "Fuck Off Frenchie" the middle finger is the one used by Americans and from the proctologist exam, hence, getting the finger.
Kevin. This was a great clip. Thanks (again). I have been thinking about the Medieval use of poisons. I heard about a French mother of 4 (?) kings. She was part of the Medicini family. She was supposed to be an expert in poisons. Not only were poisons ingested, but also absorbed through the air, and by touch (inside gloves). How real and widespread were the various types of poisons in years gone by?
Hello Mr. Hicks, I’ve been watching your videos and have decided I’d like to give archery a go! What is a good starting pull weight for a beginner? Also, I have friends who love mounted archery and go to clinics to practice. Could you, or have you done a video on the role and tactics of the mounted archer? Thank you for the informative and fun videos!
Hi Mark, depending on your strength maybe try a 35-40lb bow to start with and go up from there if you enjoy it and need to. I'd love to do a film on mounted archers but don't have a horse. I have had a go, years back at Warwick Riding School with the Knights of Middle England, maybe check them out 👍
Hi Kev, I put quite a long comment on here when I first watched it earlier. It isn't showing up now though. But never mind. Another great video mate. Much love to you and Julie. Dave.
Wow great shot. I've been a subscriber on different accounts for many years now. You are a great storyteller & I humbly thank you for the many hours of entertainment. Greetings from the border of Middlesex & Monmouth Counties, New Jersey, U.S.A
Delightful - I'm not an archer, but its good to understand how things were in these battles. Enjoyed the mythbusting too. Glad you pointed out about the draw weights. I'd watched some videos about whether armor could be pierced and they used 160# draw. Even then only getting through mail. But was hard for even this really buff archer to get off 10 shots in a row - I'd imagine accuracy would be more difficult. Thankyou its veryfascinating and beautiful seeing you effortlessly fling one after another right on point.
Great to hear that, the topic of the Hundred Years War is fascinating, you might want to check out our series of videos here. th-cam.com/play/PLZ5bkawra-DiRDbgOwOQAOcrWp6uP-uLz.html&si=TAllnRqxe_0GiOU4.
Oi Mr. Hicks, it has been a while since I've watched your videos. I'd like to take a moment to thank you for your fantastic content, it's so charming and educational. You are a great man, thank you for your service to humankind.
my favorite robin hood is still errol flynn with Howard Hill doing the real shooting... especially the broadhead shot into the document on the table with the actors around said.. He was an amazing archer!
Very good description of some key facts and myths. I'm shooting for more than 30 years now and I can confirm most things you have said - some things, like armor-penetration I would not know myself, but it sounds plausible enough. I also like your instinctive shooting style, without holding the arrow at the anchor for ages - like FITA archers do.
Kevin your act is great but I really want to point out that there is clearly a very steady wind by the way your hat feathers move, but your audio quality is fantastic
Nice vid, Kevin. The actor Robert Hardy ( Siegfried) made a very informative vid many years ago showing the penetrative force of a long bow . I'm sure you know it, but other viewers might like to watch it. Cheers.
Thats an excellent line there Kev, "oh thats a shame.... because thats just gone straight between his eyes" lol
It was a perfect headshot!🏹
That was bad ass.
Legendary quote
@@PeterSolerom it was a thing of beauty and never to be underestimated.
Guns are great but a determined and skilled bowman can and will end your day in a bad way
One of the better lines. It's exactly something you'd expect with a rifle would say. Those were professional.soldiers , no different than a modern ar4 ooerator
"Then you are not a bowman. Shame, innit..." Headshot. Nicely done, Kevin!
.... I was thinking about him 😜
I liked the way that, especially in the first part of the video, you reacted to a myth then calmly turned and shot an arrow directly into the head each time. That's style :D .
@@HistoricalWeaponsHe is shooting an English longbow in English attire, of course it's about English archers and archery!
We're military arrow heads designed to break off when they struck? To avoid giving ammo to the enemy? A bit like Roman throwing spears?
Would hunting arrows have been different?
As to the archers being professional seems a bit odd title.
Thought they were organised vasel farmers mandated to train periodically and to answer for muster in case of war.
Few pro's perhaps in permanent funded garrisons and perhaps marshals for organising training and disciplining the archers.
My dad & uncle were reenactment guys, archers, huntsmen, and history buffs. I lost them both in the past few years. Thank you Mr. Hicks for being a TH-cam father figure ❤
You’re most welcome 😊
Knowledgeable AND talented, you can't ask for a better teacher, or entertainer than this. Great video as always!
Cheers!
Dang, Kevin's still got it! Always a treat to see you upload
Thanks!
I’m absolutely amazed at how accurate you shot those arrows. Amazing well done
2.35 in the video....Sir, you had and now DEFINITELY have my respect for your craftmanship in regards to shooting arrows....that shot, from the hip in modern gunslinging terms; wauww...I bow in respect, Kevin ❤
“That’s a shame innit” *Nails a shot*
Love that quiet professionalism, show, no need to tell.
When you watched “Robin Hood” you were fascinated by the way the arrows sounded and it inspired you to start shooting. When I saw “Robin Hood” I was fascinated by the Foley effects guys and how they created the sound that we now associate with an arrow in flight. (Don’t get me started on the metal-scraping-metal sound of swords being unsheathed) That inspired me to start recording. I love sound effects and I get a thrill up my spine whenever I hear a producer use them on a record!
Incredible wealth of knowledge! Great shots, and Kevin Hicks... What more could you want?!? Great video!
Thanks again, I'm so glad you enjoy them. 👍
Looks like this is the first video I'm watching with breakfast on my birthday, now that's an awesome start to my day.
Edit: So many wishes! Truly, Kevin gathers such a kind community. Thank you, to all of you!
Many happy returns T.🏹🏹🏹
Happy birthday and many more !
Happy birthday to you 🥳
🎉
Happy 69th
Something notable about heavy draw bows in war:
Commanders actually anticipated soldiers on campaign getting weaker the longer they were out in the field. Often soldiers were overworked, malnourished, etc. and where they might have been able to wield their bow with ease when the campaign began, but when they're sick and/or starving it's a different story.
There are sources from the 1500s in which English commanders complain about the bowmen they're receiving, who are plenty strong when they join, but lose the strength to draw their bows after a month or two in the field.
“oh, you’re not a bowman.” *fires a perfect bullseye*“well that’s gone right between his eyes”…that’s a hat doff moment right there 😎
it has been 32 years since the last time i ever shot an arrow and seeing that small target hit from that distance while talking and showing some insult over that snide remark against archers earned massive respect especially thanks to the historical accuracy.
Cheers mate, it felt good 😜
It's refreshing to see a guy, who doesn't treat archery like it's complicated science. There are so many archery channels on YT that do that. Meanwhile Kevin does a short draw with an arrow of unknown spine and hits perfectly :D
Yep, it's just two pieces of wood and a bit of string 😜
you're carrying as many arrows as Legolas in this video. I loved it.
As the saying goes: you never carry enough ammo.
Thank you for pointing out archers don't aim at the armor they aim for soft targets if they can see any
Also most Men at Arms would only have frontal plate and mail for the rest. Only the wealthiest knights would have been able to afford full plate for themselves and their retinues.
The average infantryman would have been lucky to have a mail long shirt and a helmet.
Also the archers were obviously also trained in Melee and probably had side arms like short swords or spears
Spears were much cheaper to make than swords and can be made out of branches if you have a knife.
This guy is knowledgeable. And I hope others can hear his good sense.
My worst pet peeve with Hollywood or any other type of media is when they shout "fire!" as a command to archers to shoot their arrows. I always give bonus points to movies or anything else that do it right.
Indeed!! Great point. 👍
Loose
"fire?", "where?"
commanding longbowmen to wait before shooting is almost guarantied to get you hated by the men
lesser so organised volleys like far later but moreso getting the men to wait til the time was right to start shooting ( you may want them closer than max range so if they take flight you can shill shoot or to wait til your infantry can cover you or is ready to take the hit from the opposing force you just convinced to charge )
Firing is for cannon
They would say "Loose" or maybe, "Shoot." And if the archers were told to wait, none of them would make a full draw and hold that position for long because it would exhaust them. If they would wait, then the arrows might be nocked but the bows would not be drawn until they are ready to shoot.
I loved archery in high school. I was a short, sinewy girl who stunned the instructor with the way I used the long bow.
Apparently I was good - until I sneezed while releasing, and the bow string scraped across my face, chest, and left arm.
I did enjoy archery, though.
Yow! I felt that all the way over here.
OUCH, that must've hurt
Stunned??? 😳
Amazons had a solution
Ouch, I felt that reading it. Personally do not know a single archer who has not felt the kiss of the string on their arm or wrist at least once though!
Had a bow string snap on me at full draw once, which was not pleasant, and also largely my own fault. It was perhaps not the best way to learn to check your strings and never shoot a worn bow string!
That was a very fun video as a person who was heavily into bowmanship for my whole teenage and young adult years. Most of my younger years I used a 35-40lb bow, but I did use a 100-110lb bow towards the end without difficulty. If your life is centered around being an archer - and I tended to practice every day with my bow - you can shoot a 110 or 120lb bow all day after a certain point of conditioning yourself for years. Bows are such a fascinating weapon, and what kind of bow and what weight of draw and arrow types they use can tell you a lot about what kind of archer they are and what tactics they would theoretically use on the field. It's very similar to my swordsmanship training all the way from when I was a child until I was an adult - the weapon they use, what stances they use, and their pacing for attack and defense told me quite a bit about their teacher, their personality, and what kind of mindset they had as a fighter. Great video, and I appreciate you dispelling some of the myths that float around the newbies these days. I enjoyed the watch. Stay strong and keep teaching like you're doing. It's great for the younger generations to get in touch with history and a healthy hobby.
Thanks! It’s good to hear from someone else with a good experience in the longbow.
For a long time time i got hung up on shooting heavy and heavier longbows, but 'EVENTUALLY' common sense and logic took over and i realized exactly what you have mentioned here.
Another great video.
Hi Kevin, Pergamos was well protected in 82/83 with your little armoury. My youngest son is in the RAF and is a bow shooter. He has a long bow which he loves to use. He has represented the RAF in Inter Service competitions. I really enjoy your postings and so does my neighbour who also is into bows and arrows. Keep them coming. 🐒
Thanks James. 👍
I knew I recognised your face, I saw you years ago at Wales Archery when I was picking up some bits, it's a lovely shop and the staff are so knowledgeable, and opening that huge door with the cow-bell almost takes you back in time.
Ah, doesn't it just 😃
You sir are a legend. Really good at delivering not only arrows. But education aswell
the double arrow shot was so cool!
Another great video. I saw you a few times at Warwick, and your show was always the highlight of the day. I even acted as timekeeper for you once. Subscribed.
Your videos are Always a highlight of the week. What a day for shooting. Thanks Kevin!
Cheers Daryl 👍
You just launching arrows into the target head is so wild to me. Truly make something very difficult look so easy!
2:34 that was smooth as butter 😂😂
I know you've been shooting a long time, but that accuracy is just a wonder!
Sir Thomas Erpingham of Erpingham in the County of Norfolk was at Agincourt, I believe. Just down the road from Erpingham village is the Town of Aylsham. Its Buttlands still exists, albeit in the form of a car park and somewhat shortened. It amazes me that they could see the target, let alone hit it. I often park there and wonder what tales it could tell.
👍 Sir Thomas Erpingham is buried at Norwich Cathedral but his grave appears to have been moved or lost and they buried a bishop on top instead. 😳. I was so sad to hear this.
"Well it thine age became
O noble Erpingham
Who didst the signal aim
To our hid forces,
When from a wood nearby
Like a storm, suddenly
The English archery
Stuck the French horses"...
Mr Kevin, greetings from Alabama, USA. Love your content, you're a fabulous storyteller/ historian. Please keep it up
Thanks Lee, I will 👍
On your point regarding weight, I feel like people underestimate it. 60lb or even 45lb isn’t a whole lot of weight but when it’s force is focused on the sharp tip of an arrow head it becomes pretty devastating. With decent shot placement a 45lb bow can take down a whitetail.
In Australia a whitetail is a type of spider.
Yes 40lbs is plenty for killing an unarmoured person
its only bears, elephants and armour that call for the 100lb bows.
@SuperFunkmachine Lots of western American Indian tribes hunted bear with 40-50lb bows. But yeah I'd probably opt for a bit more if I was doing that.
@@johnwatters6922It takes at least 2 arrows to take down an Australian white tail spider ;-)
This has explained the importance of the archer & how they would be used far better than most other channels. Cheers.
Richard green and robin hood. Brilliant. We were the first family to get a small black and white TV. In our tiny kitchen (which was the living room because the kitchen was the scullery) there were about 20 local children crammed in to watch robin hood. My mother was a very kind lady who allowed this because everyone had very little. Imagine the battles after the show ended with our home made bows! Thanks Kevin. It all came flooding back.
This was soooooo great to watch. Always top shelf. Thanks for sharing. Cheers.
I have zero interest in picking up archery, but wow this video was fascinating! I can appreciate anyone who has done something for 60 years 😊
Okay that two arrow shot has to be the coolest thing ive ever seen. Beats any sniper shot
Sniper:
What? the second arrow went high... Even if you aimed lower, and hit the head and chest... it's redundant. That's the point in the video. You CAN do it, but it's just wasting an arrow.
Thanks Kevin! Fridays are always best with you presenting another wonderful video for all us history geeks. Great job, sir!
Thanks!
I would not want to be a foot soldier approaching Kevin with his bow.
@@Sandwichking-hikes Yes!....Ere, is that Kevin Hicks in the front rows of Archers?....yes?...... Er.....I think it's time for tea chaps or should I say "oh maird". 😂😂😂
Imagine you have to approach a thousand Kevin's with bows...😮
@@ducomaritiem7160 Oh God yes!! I am a Bowman myself and shoot numerous different English longbows. After a good few years I'm not too bad and can shoot well instinctively without having to aim.....not that I have anything to aim with! But I'm sure you know what I mean. You teach yourself to shoot where you are looking. I am not in Kevin's league but our shooting styles are virtually identical. I don't shoot anything heavier than my 52 or 53# Yew selfbows. And a number of really nice 48# laminated bows that Pip Bickerstaffe made for me. Kevin's 7' 4" Yew bow was originally about a 90# draw weight.
Dave.
Pretty sure it wouldn't matter who's on the front line. In medieval battle... you ALL dead.
@@ifIOnlyHadABrian Only about 5 - 6% of the casualties of most medieval battles occurred during the actual fighting.
So no, sorry to burst your fantasy.
Most of the casualties occurred when one side broke, and were pursued.
Also in most cases the guys in the best armour were in the first couple of lines, and these were the very people who were LEAST likely to be simply killed out of hand, because decent armour meant wealth, and wealth, meant ransom money.
Kill a man with good armour and you will be able to loot his armour. Take him prisoner and not only do you get to loot his armour, but you also get to ransom him back to his family...
Sure people absolutely did die, but your assumption that everyone on the front line of a medieval battle died is so inaccurate it made me spit my coffee out with laughter....
4:21 you smug bastard haha! Love it
in the biz, that is called a "hard flex"
😂
Hello mate. Steve here, from Rochester kent. Made my first longbow. Out of Hazel. Shoots ok. Started making me own arrows know. Happy New year. God bless
"...these guys are running, so they've got their arrows with them" quick smile and thumbs up.
That made me laugh. Nicely done
As always, another great video. Im in the process of making my first homemade bow out of Osage. Can't wait till it's finished and sending arrows across the backyard. Thanks for another great video.
Excellent!
Thanks!
Hi Anders, thank you so much for the SUPER, it's most kind of you. I had fun doing these videos and though the snow is on the ground now until spring, I still have a couple more to release. Thanks again & stay tuned. Kevin 👍
Hi Anders, YT is doing weird things with my comments at the moment, but I hope you saw my reply to thank you for the very kind SUPER you've sent me. I'm glad you enjoyed the shooting 👍
Folk often forget that archers were basically light infantry, with mounted archers the dragoons of their day (ride to a position or battle then dismount to fight). They were skilled fighters (or killers as Kevin would have it) and could use a variety of arms in addition to their own short swords etc.
Sure Sure but ordering bowmen to Charge is dumb in my opinion thats Like saying that the velites should Charge a Phalanx. Sure Archer you are a great Fighter but you aint heavy infantry Fall Back and flank when the lines are Locked in the melee. If you throw bowmen to Charge the Commander IS Desperate
@@laisphinto6372 Then explain why this was often the case?
The Longbowmen of the medieval English Armies were not feudal levies, they were professional soldiers. Many of them actually had access to significant armour. Its not going to be as heavy as the men at arms or the knights, but its far from non existent.
The fact is these men WERE used in such a manner, and there ARE historical accounts of such archers becoming extremely wealthy due to the capture and ransoming of nobles. Given how the ransom system worked at the time you HAD to be the person to actually capture said noble to be eligible to demand ransom, which meant you HAD to be in the fight.....
A wealthy English Archer of the time would have been wearing decent armour. Most of these guys came from the Yeoman class, which were the wealthy farmers and artisans and lower rungs of the merchant classes that eventually became what we now refer to as the middle class. They were not only able to afford better protection for themselves, but were also far better able to put the time required to constantly practice with the longbow.
Kevin, thank you for another great year. Your hard work is appreciated by us all. Happy Christmas
Kevin is a stone cold badass today! And I'm here for it.
😂
I watched it as soon as I got the notification! Another great video Kevin. I’ve already got some compliments on my arrow in its stand 😁, the green threading on the feathers is very cool it looks complicated
Excellent, I'm glad it's enjoying its new home. The 'whipping' is fiddly, but therapeutic to do 👍
I find your history channel very informative, and I love it. Thank you Kevin
First time I’ve seen a real archer work, and also got all the true history I love. Many thanks for sharing such skill and knowledge about what actually happened during these terrible battles. You gave us such common sense responses to questions about war that most people would never even think of.
@joanp105, Yes, he certainly is a true Archer. You can only get that good through years of practice!! I too am a longbow Archer and have practiced for many years. I am certainly not a patch on Kevin, but after years of practice and you and the bow are warmed up, you can just draw and shoot quickly without actually aiming or anchoring. Just drawing and loosing in quick succession. It's a great feeling, but it does take practice, practice & more practice. There is no quick way to instinctive Archery.
Kevin is an amazing guy and an amazing Archer. I never get fed up of watching him!!
Best wishes,
Dave.
Cheers Joan 👍
@davesheppard8797 how lovely of you Dave, thanks buddy!
@thehistorysquad Just telling it how it is buddy! You really are a joy to watch, with accuracy I can only dream of.
That long explanation for myth 2 just to nail the dummy in the same shot. I was flabbergasted lmao
Thank you Sir! - The greatest victory is the one against ignorance, and you have struck a mighty blow!
The film Ivanhoe 1952 when the Normans came out of the castle and forced back by the hail of arrows. they shut the gate and about 50 arrows was fired and stuck in the door just as the Normans closed it.
One of the most memorable moments for me
I am so grateful for your videos. Thank you for all of the hard work you put into them and for sharing them as well!
You are very welcome 😊
My very late Uncle had an arrow smith's anvil and it was square with notches in it to shape the bodkin points, and they could be square or triangular points, and some of these arrows were reputed to be sheathed in hide and greased under the green hide with bird fat, goose or poultry, and sometimes animal fat which enhanced penetration of armour--and the three sided points took longer to forge than the four sided bodkin but were superior. Archers also carried an archer's maul, an iron headed club which could also be used as a crutch or a steadying seat. A full strength bow for a strong man was considered to have a draw weight of one hundredweight (one hundred and twelve pounds) , but most were less than this and only a few were more. What my uncle told me was that the best arrows were hardened by quenching them several times in fermented cattle urine.
You would know better than he I should imagine, but he told me that archers did not as a rule draw to their ear in the heat of battle, but only to their nose or lips, it being quicker and more accurate and a good archer could have three arrows in flight at once if the range was of sufficient distance to allow time for it. I would have to see it to believe it though. Arrows travel quickly with eighty pounds of draw weight behind them but he did say one other thing--that some arrows used in warfare and made in a hurry were fletched with a thin piece of leather threaded through or more likely whipped to the shaft, especially for crossbow arrows. Uncle Jim was interested in ancient weapons. As for poisoned arrows, I do not know about English archers but it is said that some archers dipped their arrows in carrion so as to transmit infection in any wounds sustained thereby.
I visited a Warwick Castle special event day around June 2003, shortly before I was deployed to Iraq with my TA medical unit and there, was inspired by a practical demonstration and scintillating performance by 'the mighty bowman'. These years later I'm watching your videos and considering making my own bow, and wondering if you are the bowman that entertained me those years ago. He was definitely younger looking, but so was I. Enjoying your content, thanks, Phil.
Hi Phil, it quite probably was, I was there until 2005 👍
Awww yes, new longbow video with Kev…day is made…week is made…month is made 💪🏹
😃
Another amazing video. With your passion for the bow. I'd like to know your thoughts on Otzi and his equipment and bow. Might be an idea for a video. All the best to you and your family.❤
Agree, absolutely.
I’d rather hear Kevin thoughts than any archaeologists, with all due respects to any archaeologists reading this!😊
You are a helluva good shot, Kevin!
Nice video, straight to the point with demonstrations, not spoken in a rush where you need to pay attention to see if you don't miss something in the middle of all complicated talk. Well done. That last scene you explained about that long shot against the running horseman, how easy would that be in reality? Could you do it at first try?
I could cellos a couple if arrows I’m sure. This story might interest you. 👍. th-cam.com/video/w3VNW3GX61A/w-d-xo.htmlsi=IcixTC-CVlGeH2SM
You hit the Bullseye 🎯 once again.. Cheers..!
Love the videos, Kevin, I have noticed your cross and your rosary in this video and love to see it
Thanks. It's a soldier's rosary, shorter than the normal, if I remember correctly it represents 15 saints?
Perfect morning to watch! It's raining and I have coffee at the ready! Thanks!!
😃
"Right between the eyes" This man just demonstrated the midevil equivalent of John Wick.
😜 love it!
Sir, thanks a lot for the great insights! A pleasure listening to you. 👍
Maybe I am wrong, but those headshots did not look like something from multiple takes. One shot. One kill!
You’re right, they were just as you saw them
Kevin - great instructive video! Surely the bow was most used at the sort of distance you are shooting at, because in medieval times most bowmen learned their skill stalking and killing game, where that would be the typical maximum distance?
0:19 ...a good ol... shoot.
You taught me something I never knew once, Kevin. When I was an apprentice draughtsman I attended 'The Butt's College in Coventry. I did not know that Butts was the shooting range for archers back in the day, especially the end where the targets are. Thanks for that Kev. Fred Dinage..HOW!!
For the Myth 4, I think the reason medieval archers didn't raise their bows upwards to the sky and loose the arrows was because it was inaccurate. They would have wasted so many arrows just to hit the target, even if the target is stationary. They fired straight and waited for their targets to come closer so that the arrows would be penetrative and more accurate shooting.
I feel that it is hard enough to hit a moving target, especially a guy on a moving horse.
Basing on Todd's Workshop (another good history YT channel), a very good quality armour definitely can stop arrows, but I'm sure not every knight on a horse could afford a good quality armour. I'm sure that armours, especially in the Battle of Agincourt, had varying degrees of quality. Some were better, some were not as good. If an archer can fatally hit the target with one arrow, it was usually a lucky hit on an open face or weaker joints of the armour.
One more thing, if a guy on a horse is charging at you, I'm sure you, as an archer, would be very nervous to shoot accurately even if you are well-trained, right?
But archers *did* shoot upward for targets at distance as it would be necessary for targets beyond about 30 yards. it is documented in manuscript and tapestry that bows were shot with elevation rather than just point on when required for distant targets. And as someone who shoots routinely at 70-90 meters myself I guarantee you it would not be inaccurate by any measure. Once you can get the elevation correct a well shot arrow will drift only by the wind which you can also read and account for, be that crosswind, headwind, or tailwind.
@thecarrot4412 Good to know.
I imagine the conception of archers loosing their arrows in an arc is due to how they're often depicted in period artwork. Which in turn is due to the technique's used when shooting really heavy bows. You tilt your body upwards temporarily during the drawing motion in order to engage as much as your body as possible.
I'm sure there were cases where archers shot in a high arc to get extra range, but with the decreased accuracy and lessened impact from such shots I imagine it would mostly be used against really large formations of enemies or as a medieval version of 'pinning fire'. Not so much to cause casualties but rather annoy or disrupt enemy forces.
@@Aalienik The reason I disagree is a matter of simple physics. Lets imagine a man 1.75 meters tall. An object dropped from this height will land in 0.6ish seconds. So assuming you shoot level to the ground, your arrow will hit the ground in 0.6 seconds as an arrow once off the bow is essentially in free flight. If you take an relatively quick longbow speed of about 170 feet per second or so, that means it will *hit the ground in 102 feet or 31 meters* or so - and only if you ignore drag and the fact that he doesn't shoot it from the top of his head but lower down ... Archers at war obviously could have, and would have shot at targets far further than this. The only way to get an arrow to any reasonable distance is to cast it upward by some measure, and with arrows with the drag of the type shot from a typical heavy warbow you *must* cast them upward.
Fighting precision with a warbow upward of 100 meters is entirely possible. Check out "Shooting from Battlements! - How much further does it go!?" on Tod Cutler's youtube channel , featuring Joe Gibbs shooting a 140lb bow.
@@thecarrot4412 Yeah, you'll always need to shoot with some degree of an arc unless you're really close. I was mostly thinking about really arced shots of like 45 degrees and more.
Never heard of you before and just stumbled on the video, fantastic! gonna have to watch a few more.
Thanks, hopefully there's something else you'll enjoy! 👍
I can't begin to imagine the brutality of those medieval battles, nice video Kevin!
Nor I. I'd always heard about the brutality of medieval warfare, of course, but it was seeing the trauma on the skeletons from Towton and Gottland that truly brought it home to me. The relentless hacking and bashing is horrifying.
@@thomasbell7033 I was once in the SCA, a medieval re-enactment group, and it was against the "rules" to strike a blow below the waist in battle. Imagine how I felt when it was discovered that many of the dead at Gottland showed signs of deliberate strikes to the legs and feet, meant to disable the opponent before the kill. ='[.]'=
We still have repeats, inspired by ethnic, sectarian and religious views, ie Rwanda (1994), that are at least as brutal and have an even larger body count.
Always enjoy your videos Kev, with you every day’s a school day 🤘🏹
Cheers Mick!
I killed a deer with a 75# longbow when I was 16 YO. I never had a heavier bow than that. Fifty two years and two heart operations later I am shooting a 40# longbow. Historians tell us that we are considerably taller and healthier men now, so how they managed 120# bows, 700 years ago is a mystery to me.
It's definitely constant training from a young age. But is also technique. If you watch Joe Gibbs, you can see how he uses every muscle in his body to draw his bows (up to 215lbs). That would be impossible with the modern shooting form. That's also something games and movies get so wrong. Bows require a LOT of strength. And you can't keep them drawn for more than a few seconds.
Sure we are healthier now we are in our 60s then they did back then. But we live a soft life compared to them. If you wanted fuel for the fire you had to go out and chop some. If you wanted hey for your animals you had to go out and cut some and then lift it up and put it in the barn. There are just a number of things that a man had to do in his regular duties of life that needed strength. People today compared to people 700 years ago or nothing but marshmallows.
It's because they used their whole body to draw, not just their arms, watch Joe Gibbs shoot his 210lbs longbow, then watch how he has trouble drawing a modern 130lbs compound bow (in Tod's channel), it's because you can't use the historical technique to draw modern compound bows. I assume you're drawing your bows with a modern technique.
Agreed.......
Think I saw one guy shooting arrows as far as he could but he was like a contortionist, almost coiling his whole body up before each shot.
Definitely an eye opener after years of watching Robin Hood etc.
Love the episode Kev! Could you please do another episode like this?
Sure, we have snow here now in Canada, but I shot another two videos before the snow came so they'll be released in the coming months 👍
Did you see the one on the anatomy of the bow? I've also done a couple on making & repairing arrows 👍
0:47, I have read somewhere that it was common for Archers to collect horse dung and put a pile in front of them with their arrows stuck in it so that if the arrow just scratched someone they got tetanus and died after the battle. Seems to make sense, particularly against the French who were particularly nasty to captured archers.
They spit on them. That's where cursing comes from, saying a nasty thought then spit on the arrow. It cursed the arrow. Archery culture. The middle finger too. It's the finger that killed them
@@DjMakurimaru Wrong, its the First and Middle finger, the ones you pulled the string with, which is English for "Fuck Off Frenchie" the middle finger is the one used by Americans and from the proctologist exam, hence, getting the finger.
Great video. I know very little about archery but your accuracy and smoothness impressed me!
Glad you enjoyed it
Nonchalantly fires two arrows at a head size target and they both hit. Decades of experience and it definitely shows.
I love the sound the string makes as it vibrates briefly after the arrow is shot. The note it makes is B on the A string of my bass guitar.
Great stuff, Kevin! Love this sort of trivia and de-bunking!
Kevin. This was a great clip. Thanks (again). I have been thinking about the Medieval use of poisons. I heard about a French mother of 4 (?) kings. She was part of the Medicini family. She was supposed to be an expert in poisons. Not only were poisons ingested, but also absorbed through the air, and by touch (inside gloves). How real and widespread were the various types of poisons in years gone by?
Ooh, a great question but I'd have to do some research 👍
Hello Mr. Hicks, I’ve been watching your videos and have decided I’d like to give archery a go! What is a good starting pull weight for a beginner? Also, I have friends who love mounted archery and go to clinics to practice. Could you, or have you done a video on the role and tactics of the mounted archer? Thank you for the informative and fun videos!
Hi Mark, depending on your strength maybe try a 35-40lb bow to start with and go up from there if you enjoy it and need to. I'd love to do a film on mounted archers but don't have a horse. I have had a go, years back at Warwick Riding School with the Knights of Middle England, maybe check them out 👍
Hi Kev,
I put quite a long comment on here when I first watched it earlier. It isn't showing up now though. But never mind. Another great video mate.
Much love to you and Julie.
Dave.
Wow great shot. I've been a subscriber on different accounts for many years now. You are a great storyteller & I humbly thank you for the many hours of entertainment. Greetings from the border of Middlesex & Monmouth Counties, New Jersey, U.S.A
Thanks so much for your long-time support!
One of the best history channels on here. Great work 👏 👍
Wow, thank you!
Delightful - I'm not an archer, but its good to understand how things were in these battles. Enjoyed the mythbusting too. Glad you pointed out about the draw weights. I'd watched some videos about whether armor could be pierced and they used 160# draw. Even then only getting through mail. But was hard for even this really buff archer to get off 10 shots in a row - I'd imagine accuracy would be more difficult.
Thankyou its veryfascinating and beautiful seeing you effortlessly fling one after another right on point.
Very entertaining and informative. Loved the marksmanship.
Love how Kevin is busy talking to the camera and then casually puts an arrow into a head sized target time aftet time after time
I came to the video because of an interest in the Hundred Years War and really enjoyed it. Thanks you very much.
Great to hear that, the topic of the Hundred Years War is fascinating, you might want to check out our series of videos here. th-cam.com/play/PLZ5bkawra-DiRDbgOwOQAOcrWp6uP-uLz.html&si=TAllnRqxe_0GiOU4.
Fatastice shooting great lecture, education & myth busting. ALWAYS ENJOY YOUR VIDEOS! KUDOS TO YOU SIR KEVIN HICKS BOWMAN!🏹👍
🤯 WOW you're accuracy blows my mind, how are you aiming and hitting the target so quickly after just twisting your body around, also what is spining🤔🤔
Spining is just the bendiness of the arrow, 👍
Hi Kevin, great channel. You'll never lose the Brummie twang!
How do you make the whistling arrows!? 😁
It's just a different arrowhead with a hole in it that catches the wind as it passes over it. 👍
Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Oi Mr. Hicks, it has been a while since I've watched your videos. I'd like to take a moment to thank you for your fantastic content, it's so charming and educational. You are a great man, thank you for your service to humankind.
Thanks very much, I really appreciate that.
Brilliant stuff. What a great educator/ presenter.
my favorite robin hood is still errol flynn with Howard Hill doing the real shooting... especially the broadhead shot into the document on the table with the actors around said.. He was an amazing archer!
Very good description of some key facts and myths. I'm shooting for more than 30 years now and I can confirm most things you have said - some things, like armor-penetration I would not know myself, but it sounds plausible enough. I also like your instinctive shooting style, without holding the arrow at the anchor for ages - like FITA archers do.
Kevin your act is great but I really want to point out that there is clearly a very steady wind by the way your hat feathers move, but your audio quality is fantastic
This is an excellent channel which I have only just discovered. Very well done
Thanks and welcome 👍
Nice vid, Kevin. The actor Robert Hardy ( Siegfried) made a very informative vid many years ago showing the penetrative force of a long bow . I'm sure you know it, but other viewers might like to watch it. Cheers.