From Purchas His Pilgrims, Book 4, Chapter 2, Of the Medes, we have an example of flaming arrows being used against humans, rather than as mere incendiaries to ignite buildings and ships. In this Region was made the oile Medicum, wherein their arrowes were steeped, which being shot out of a looser bow (for a … Continue reading Median Fire Arrows
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Chinese general Qi Jiguang adopts musketry
A history book I read about a year ago said that Qi Jigaung, a 16th century general famous for defeating the pirate invasion of southern China, had mostly ignored musketry and focused on contact weapons. Since it didn't seem like there would be any bow/musket comparison I forgot about him until coming across the name … Continue reading Chinese general Qi Jiguang adopts musketry
Another Fire Arrow Recipe
A follow-up the earlier fire arrow post. Nathanael Nye's 1670 book "A Treatise of Artificiall Fire-Works for War and Recreation" contains another recipe. The illustration demonstrates naval use, but the description makes clear that it is also intended to be used against individuals. Get a long shaft of wood ; and joyne unto it an … Continue reading Another Fire Arrow Recipe
Recusants
While skimming through the Calendar of State Papers, Volume 3, 1591-1594, I found this. 1592? 103. [The Council to the Justice of Peace]. Transmit schedules of recusants in their respective counties; their principle houses they are themselves secretly and suddenly to visit, and take possession of their arms and armour, to be restored to them … Continue reading Recusants
John Smythe on archers at Kett’s Rebellion and the Prayer Book Rebellion
The fiercest advocate of the longbow during the period of the Elizabethan bow vs. gun debates was John Smythe, a nobleman and a cantankerous soldier of long experience. Smythe had first served in France during the short reign of Edward VI, and afterwards had fought in the Netherlands (on the side of the Spanish) and … Continue reading John Smythe on archers at Kett’s Rebellion and the Prayer Book Rebellion
Christine de Pizan, The Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry, 1410
Christine de Pizan, a French noblewoman, is notable not only for her poetry, but for having written this book on the virtues of martial training. The work is largely based on Vegetius's De Re Militari, but Christine adds in plenty of commentary unique to the military situation of 15th century France. Most interesting is her … Continue reading Christine de Pizan, The Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry, 1410
English Books on Bow vs. Musket Issue
Here is, I hope, an exhaustive list of every published English writer who commented on the bow vs. musket debate up until the start of the English Civil War. Included is a short summary of their position and a link, if available, to a transcription. Barnabe Riche, A Right Exelent and Pleasaunt Dialogue, 1574 … Continue reading English Books on Bow vs. Musket Issue
Thomas Churchyard- A Praise of the Bovve, 1583
This poem appears in The Avncient Order, Societie, and Vnitie Laudable, of Prince Arthure, and his Knightly Armory of the Round Table. With a Threefold Assertion frendly in fauour and furtherance of English Archery at this day, translated and editted by R. R., 1583. A Praise of the Bovve and Commendation of this Booke, written … Continue reading Thomas Churchyard- A Praise of the Bovve, 1583
John Bingham- The Tactiks of Aelian, 1616
P24-27 http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A05855.0001.001 Archers haue alwayes beene of speciall esteeme for the field, and preferred before the other kindes of light-armed. Many nations haue beene commended for theire skill in shooting. Emongest the Graecians the Cretans were (of ancient time) sole archers, as Pausanias witnesseth. Yet was not theire service aequall with the service of the … Continue reading John Bingham- The Tactiks of Aelian, 1616
William Somner- The antiquities of Canterbury, 1640
Somner chose to include the segment from John Bingham's book Aelian Tactiks where he discusses archery. The segment from John Bingham will get its own separate post. Somner's comments are interesting in themselves. P267 Here, as from a fit occasion, let us observe by the way the alteration of the times in point of martiall … Continue reading William Somner- The antiquities of Canterbury, 1640
Bow Vs. Musket 