Archery technique during the first Polish commonwealth

Zotski · Post by **Zotski** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:50 pm

I've tried contacting Andrzej Abratowski by personal message and e-mail, no reply on either, it also seems that his e-mail is no longer valid. Has anyone got a copy of his article on mounted archery in the Commonwealth that was published in the Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries that I could read or could someone direct me to where I could get / read a copy ?
Thanks.

Andrzej Abratowski · Post by **Andrzej Abratowski** » Tue May 28, 2013 6:54 pm

Sorry for my silence, but I'm back.
Did you read this article. It was very few information about archery technique, because there is a problem with sources.
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I've tried change my e-mail address but I cant

Andrzej Abratowski · Post by **Andrzej Abratowski** » Tue May 28, 2013 7:28 pm

I've read all topic. It is big problem with sources. The using of bows are often mentioned in 16 and 17 th. C. diary but I've never found information about shooting technique. Only one mentioned by Adam.
Personally I think that thumb shooting was used. But I don't know if with thumbring or without. There is some thumbrings in Polish museums but connected to Turkish origin (from 17thC.).
Polish-Lithuanian iconography shows shooting archers, For me they draw bow by thumb.
My present research confirm me that in late medieval time in Poland (not Lithuania) bows are, in point of fact, not used in battle, crossbow only.
Composite hornbows come to Poland from the East and South-East (Lithuania and Tatar Hordes, Ottoman) from Tatars groups settled in Lithuania (since 14th. C.) and Poland. In Polish-Lithuanian troops in 16th C. ware a lot of Hungarians, Tatars even Serbians from South and Caucasians from East. And in 16 and 17 century was used in cavalry. There was no infantry armed bows in P-L Commonwealth (since the King Wladislav Jagiello)

Daniel · Post by **Daniel** » Tue May 28, 2013 8:20 pm

mikekeswick wrote: human body has an amazing ability to addapt to do whatever you ask of it. Pulling a 150lb bow should be within the reach of any physically sound person with the correct training. Most people never push or dedicate themselves to anything physical but if you do and do it wisely the rewards can be surprising.

Couldn't agree more Mike.
Regarding composite bow draw technique I second Andrzej - If we accept that most of the bows used by polish troops in 16-17th century were either Turkish or Tartar origin than if we look at the arrows associated with these bows then there is no doubt that thumb draw was used.
I'd like to see any traces of those old Hungarian arrows (as two finger draw has been mentioned)

Andrzej Abratowski · Post by **Andrzej Abratowski** » Wed May 29, 2013 8:41 pm

Most arrows in Polish museums, including Polish arrows, from 17th C. are in type of Crimean Tatar.

Zotski · Post by **Zotski** » Wed May 29, 2013 9:39 pm

Thanks for your reply Andrzej.
I have not been able to access or find a copy of the article so I haven't read it, is there any chance you could send me a copy or direct me to where I can read it ?
Also what are your views on the draw weights that may have been used ? A range of 80 to 120 lbs + up to 150 / 160 have been mentioned.