I’m a fan of archery and occasionally make the mistake of reading YouTube comments on archery videos, specifically historical archery videos. Invariably, you will find comment wars being fought over someone claiming that battlefield archers were all “effeminate twinks and cowards”, and someone else hyping archers up as superhuman gods who were stronger than all knights because of warbow draw weights. On one video someone was claiming that English soldiers in the late medieval period were screened by height by their commanders and all the smaller men built like Bruce Lee were given spears/swords and the men built like Arnold Schwarzenegger were given longbows. This seems like nonsense to me, and there are plenty of examples of historical archery YouTubers like Joe Gibbs and Justin Ma who are 5’8” or less pulling draw weights well over 100 pounds, which I think is pretty impressive for modern people.

Were there any actual physical standards for English longbowmen when longbows were used in war, or was the only requirement being physically strong & skilled enough to use the bow?

What is the purpose of the rectangle like shaped metal between the string and the bow?

Basically the tittle, i know glassware existed, but I also know it was mostly the nobles that had it, what was the common man's drinking vessel made of? And more importantly, what did they look like? Wooden mugs? metal cups? i know goblets or chalices were noble stuff

This is a general question from someone who has not much knowledge of weaponry in that time. But from what I would imagine, I would believe that spears was very effective in combat due to having more range and being able to effective poke behind a shield. But I would like to hear what you guys have to say.

I’m always listening to audiobooks at work and getting to the point where I feel like I’ve exhausted my options. I really enjoy medieval fiction such as Ken Follets “Pillars” series. I posted on here previously and was directed to Michael Jecks “Jack Blackjack” series, enjoyed those as well. I tend to like stories which are centered more on ordinary people doing ordinary things: For instance, I enjoy Follet describing how a mason is going about his work for the day. My favorite chapter in “Fellowship of the Ring” by Tolkien is, “A Shortcut to Mushrooms “ in particular when the Hobbits sit down to eat mushrooms with Farmer Maggot. Less, “epic hero goes on epic quest “ narratives and more “this is how an ordinary day was during this time period “.. Hope this rambling made sense. Any suggestions appreciated.

i’ve tried looking for a double horned hennin/cornette but none look like this

When we think about battles during Middle Age, we imagine nearly instantly, large number of horsemen, all lined up in heavy armor from head to toe, carrying swords, spears and large shields. And it wouldn’t necessarily be false, but, in fact, the reality is always more complicated.

As a matter of fact, the climate, the weather, the topography, the men-at-arms, the religion, all these elements had a direct impact on the issue of a battle. At Agincourt, in 1415, for instance, the rain permitted Henry V to win against the French, as well as the religion played a pregnant role by remotivating - after the discovery of a relic - the crusaders and by permitting them to beat the Seljoukids right after the terrible siege of Antioch (earlier in the year 1097). These examples are just a few of many…

But, the equipment also played a role and not a just a little. The temperature inside a heavy armor for horseman could exceed 40 degrees and infantry, who are better able to wear chain mail, could still withstand a temperature rise of +4 degrees. During the crossing of Anatolia by Western knights in 1096, the lack of water, the heavy armours and the harassments of light Muslims cavalrymen are all elements that drove some soldiers wild, as they removed their armours in temperatures that could exceed 50 degrees with their equipments. In addition to that, the boiling sand that crept into the armours had an impact on the moral of the soldiers.

To take a completely opposite example, Proof of the importance of climate in battles, winter was a period of downtime in the Middle Ages. In some regions, warfare is changing to adapt to the climate, with armours becoming lighter and harassment tactics developing. Long fights in the snow is no longer the standard. It creates hypothermia due to the armours and sweat generated during battles. The return to a base camp with a source of heat and then favored with lighter, de facto, but optimized armours. Let me take the examples of the vikings who had woollen clothing and who adapted easily to the climate of northern England when invading the island. the English, were not as prepared.

To conclude, I think we have to understand that people back then, and soldiers particularly, were above all humans, just like us. The issue of battles depended on many factors and the transformation of armours could be linked with several aspects such as climate, influence from other cultures and much more.

Hi, so I tried to keep the title simple but I think I need to explain, I was lucky to participate in a medieval festival in Southern France and was given clothes to wear and keep but people commented on my 'modern' foot wear so I have bought some shoes, but the 'chausses' I was given have a loop on the end rather than a foot like 'hose'. Given the warmth of the region having bare feet in leather shoes must have been unpleasant but I can't find any info on footless hose and shoes. So my question is what is the difference between 'chausses' and 'hose' (apart from the obvs) and what did peasants wear in their shoes in warmer regions of Europe? Would you wear 'chausses' with sandles or foot wraps?

Hi, any idea how old this little carved wooden screen might be? Also, where do you think it was made? Figured the figures would offer a clue but I’m clueless. It’s about 12” tall. Thanks!

I read enough online stuff and seen enough Youtube videos and pics on the Image search tab on Google to have discovered sayings attributed to Saints and short prayers asking for protection as well as attached art representations of the Archangel Michael in HEMA info available on the internet.

But strangely I cannot find anything involving the Blessed Queen of Heaven, Mother Mary. Which is so bizarre when you consider her position as the highest authority in the Catholic Church after the Holy Trinity itself and her intercessory prayers are no question the most powerful in Catholic doctrines.

As someone from a Catholic upbringing, I'm really interested in finding any devotions towards Mary thats authentically from the 16th century and earlier esp the proper Middle Ages. Do they exist? Or has my futile attepts at finding info by Googling basically answer this question I fear (practically there are none)?

Rondel dagger finished. Never made one before and I wanted the finished look to resemble a simple blacksmith made dagger.

scenario: You are transported to medieval times, wearing your "normal clothes" (let´s say jeans and t shirt), you are styled the way you normally are (if you wear makeup, have your hair dyed and styled in a certain way, basically your everyday look), you are walking around and stumble upon a village.

I was wondering, what would your average villagers think? Would they freak out considering even our faces and heights would probably be very different. Would they think you are some type of traveller from different part of the world? They would probably think your outfit sucks and it´s not practical at all, that´s all I know.

Sorry if this post doesn´t belong here, but I´ve been curious what would happen for a while now (not that we know for sure, but I´m interested to hear your take)

I was pondering the other day when reading about a certain woman in French history fighting off the British with a polearm (not spear)...

How effective would something like a halberd or a volgue, guissarme or glaive be if used by a woman? And how well could they cut though gambesons or human tissue?