The finds that changed history. By Jan H Sachers, MA Even today’s archaeology, with its sophisticated modern technology, cannot answer the question: when was the bow first invented? It is, however, an established fact that the arrow pre-dated the bow…
Hugh Soar takes a look back at the history of bow sights When today’s competitive archers glance at the gold through the lens of their chosen bow sight, they may be forgiven for not reflecting upon the antecedence of these…
On the 606th anniversary of archery’s greatest military victory, Kristina Dolgilevica reconsiders the Hundred Years’ War and asks, was Agincourt a success? The significance of a battle can be judged upon two criteria: first, its internal strategy and tactics, and…
Jan H Sachers takes an in-depth look at the history of archery at the modern Olympic Games. The Olympic Games of antiquity were held every four years from at least 776 BC to AD 393, when these ‘vulgar’ pagan displays…
What to wear on the shooting line? Something fashionable, of course. By Jan H Sachers. La Belle Assemblée was an early British women’s magazine published from 1806 until 1837, when it was merged with the Lady’s Magazine and Museum. and…
A very short history of long distance shooting. By Jan H Sachers. Targets have changed a lot throughout the history of archery. From birds to butts, from boards to bosses, archers everywhere have always proven very creative when it came…
Out in Mongolia, a storm is coming. By Dr. Antonio Graceffo Every year, a major festival called Naadam in Mongolia celebrates the “three games of men”, the manly pursuits of archery, wrestling and horse racing. At this year’s competition, I…
How clubs made rules and kept house in the 18th century. By Kristina Dolgilevica For the past few years the subject of my ongoing historical research project has been the archery societies of the late 18th century England and Wales.…
Continuing on in a history of arrows, Jan H Sachers takes us from the rise of the knights to the sinking of the Mary Rose With the advent of the knight in the 11th century, the social elite fought with…
Hugh Soar narrates a surprising history… I wonder, when they unstrap their bracers, how many archers give more than a passing thought to this unobtrusive object, as it gets tossed carelessly into the bowcase? Yet, it has a history comparable with…
