Arrow holding in History

Tamr The Nomad · Post by **Tamr The Nomad** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:06 pm

Is there any evidence to support holding spare arrows in the draw hand and or bowhand while shooting in Battle?

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 12:35 pm

There is a Parthian terracotta in Germany showing a horseman holding arrows in the bow hand. This would be between 200 BC and 200 AD.

There is a Kashan lustreware plate showing Turco-Iranian warriors with archers holding arrows in the drawing hand. They are defending a fortress. This is 11th or 12th century

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 2:25 am

This is probably a hunting picture. It shows a Khitan rider from the Song Dynasty. Since his horse tack is black, the white thing in his draw hand is probably a spare arrow. Whips were not that shape.

Here is another image from the Five Dynasties (between Tang and Song)

Russ Mitchell · Post by **Russ Mitchell** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 7:58 pm

At least one Hungarian wallpainting shows Cumans doing it in battlefield conditions.

Szabi Nagy · Post by **Szabi Nagy** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:53 am

Russ Mitchell wrote:At least one Hungarian wallpainting shows Cumans doing it in battlefield conditions.

Yes, the Kakaslomnic wall painting:
http://www.pccd.hu/nemzetismeret/image.php?id=a_040b
The Cuman holds two arrows in his draw hand.
Szabi
p.s. and the Bayeux carpet shows archers with spare arrows in the bow hand.

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:24 am

The wall painting is especially interesting because it shows someone shooting two fingers and holding arrows in the drawing hand. The arrow position is a bit haphazard so it might not be accurate about the two fingers either.