Recommended medieval arrowheads for longbow archery
2024 ж. 20 Мам.
127 983 Рет қаралды
Kevin Hicks has been an archer, and shot the longbow professionally for many years. In this video, he takes a look at his favourite medieval arrowheads, shows you some of the special originals he has collected and tells some amusing stories along the way.
#Medieval #arrowheads #longbow #archery #archery
For more medieval history videos check out this playlist: • Medieval History
If you'd like to support the channel on PATREON, and help us continue making fun, fascinating videos, check out our PATREON page: / thehistorysquad
OTHER LINKS:
Facebook: / historysquad
Twitter: / history_hicks
Website: www.historysquad.ca
The bob ross of archery. This man soothes me with his explanation... Bless him
that is the best description i've ever heard of him
I really do love that "Horse arrow" story. I run into that all the time in customer service.
The full customer service experience would be if she started telling him hes wrong and that horses can shoot arrows
Sounds like something my mama would say 😅
I dated a girl that stupid once. Seriously, this is the type of chick that was looking for where the batteries go........ in a sundial. If I'm lying I'm dying.
There's always one! 😭😂
The classic “anything else I can do for you” customer: “a million dollars would be nice..har har har” 🙄
Finally somebody technical about medieval stuffs. The incendiary arrow was really interesting.
Glad you enjoyed it 👍🏻
I wish I could learn how to make it. Knowledge like this should never be lost
@@donnahays1534 sadly probably it was "common" so it was not too much written around.
I remember when I was young, I saw you at Chepstow Castle shooting arrows down the pitch. It was so inspiring to see that as a young adult, I bought myself a bow to practice and be as good as what I saw of you when I was a child. So thank you for all youve done in history and heritage. Truly.
You're welcome Jake, my pleasure. I hope to visit Chepstow again when I'm back in the UK 👍🏻
You're currently abroad, @@thehistorysquad...?
@@NobleKorhedron He lives in Canada now, he moved quite a few years ago I think
@@NobleKorhedron He lives in my province Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. I was privileged to meet Kevin at the Nutana Legion on Thursday last. Watch his newest video. It’s about our illicit booze industry here during prohibition.
I also saw you there in Chepstow Castle, you are a legend to my family and friends. We wish you all the very best and a pleasant summer!
The incendiary arrow is quite interesting because, you can imagine all kinds of what if scenarios but ultimately if that landed, being rather underwhelming at first but continuing to provide heat, into a house, into a wooden battlement, into anything that could burn, it's easy to image it could be ignored in the heat of the moment until the structure it impacted was already well ablaze.
In the "heat" of the moment. ;)
Especially a building with a thatch roof.
I’m an over the road truck driver. This channel has provided an indescribable amount of entertainment and opportunity to learn more of which I care for so deeply. History. Thank you.
Hi there, thanks so much for the SUPER and your kind words. Both my sons are truckers so I know what a comfort YT and other platforms can be for company. Keep on trucking mate 👍
Correspondent to that "Fish Tail" arrow was the Japanese "Frog Crotch." Thanks for the detailed info on all these arrowheads, Kevin. I understand completely why those original pieces are so important to you. Some unknown smiths crafted them at their forges, some unknown archers bore them into battle, fired them in anger at men who would gladly have cut them down. And now they come down to you, a connection to the past, to your heritage, both as an Englishman, and as an archer. Great stuff! =^[.]^=
👍🏻 cheers Ray
Absolutely splendid. Our history and traditions should not be forgotten, it is where we came from after all. How sad would it be in the future, if grandparents cannot sit with all the grandchildren and tell them our story?
My grandfather used to teach me WW2 History in the same tone of voice and style you teach us in. It brings me solace and i truly appreciate the education and the effort you put into every video. Thank you so much!
You transmit so much passion for history, and with such emotion, amazingly entertaining to watch!
Gosh, thank you very much! Glad you're enjoying the channel 👍🏻
If politicians learnt more about history they might make fewer mistakes here and now! 😂⚰️😰
I found your comments about fire arrows really interesting. Until now I had always thought they were a myth made up for Hollywood films.
No way you thought they were a myth
@@akush42069 yes way
A pleasure to watch. A man who knows his subject and who is passionate about it.
Thank you for these videos. I really enjoy them. I had always liked the look of the longbow and the history associated with it. After many years of family research I found out that I'm a descendant of a Welsh archer who fought in the wars of the roses. Not much info on him besides he was listed as a servant to Jasper and Henry Tudor and "had a place of honor in Jasper's house" . Two years ago I got my first longbow your videos and the ones from Richard Head helped me a great deal. It's become my favorite of all my bows.
That's lovely to hear Charles, thank you, and thanks for watching 👍🏻
Your ancestors would be proud! You're keeping their knowledge alive!
I hope so! Thanks 👍🏻
Excellent, really enjoyed seeing those original bodkins. Looking forward to many more vids in the near future. Keep yer strings waxed, Kev. All the best !
Haha, thanks! I will 👍
1:37 perfect sound effect
The part about incendiaries here is particularly interesting to me, I can see how arrows like that would be incredibly useful in naval combat, although you'd want to be really careful seeing as they tend to drip burning fuel, could easily catch your own rigging on fire.
Yes, that's for sure 👍🏻
Nice, honest work. None of the dramatized content and annoying music. Just straight up history. How lovely. Thank you. I have subbed for additional content
Hi there, thanks for your sub, it's appreciated. I hope you enjoy more of my videos 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad Thank you. Stay classy!
I love these talks. So easy listening about such historic dangerous weaponry. My ancesters made the flites, the Fletchers.
You don't need to apologize for your humor sir, I got the giggles too as you told the story.😁 Its just one more reason why I really enjoy this channel and your videos. You do good work.
The incendiary arrow story... Experimental archaeology at it's finest! Great story!
Haha, thanks 👍🏻
My ancestors too. They are not forgotten, even here in fl.
this was genuinely interesting, my understanding of the use of the fishtail/crescent arrow was to hunt rabbit or for practice (along with blunts) as the wider point to both would result in the arrow catching on grass, making finding them after hitting your prey or following mandatory practice significantly easier
👍
I seem to remember someone on youtube saying the cresent shape was to catch feather or fur and act as a blunt so as not to mash up the flesh which was to be served to the Rich folk? But then on this vid I heard him say it shreds the flesh and brings the animal down? Maybe some were not sharpened?
when i was a child i used to make "bows and arrows" from whatever wood i could find, the fletching of the arrows were made of duck tape and cut in the shape needed to flight straight, to be honest they worked just fine, and gave me many hours of joy and entertainment, this video made me remember of this, thank you mr Hicks and greeting from Chile, South america
Wow, that's brilliant. When I was a kid, I made the fletchings for my arrows from playing cards and hey, it worked 👍🏻 All the best, Kevin
How could you not get caught up in his enthusiasm and passion?
That were good. Loved the detail of the onconderare burning for twenty minutes! Thank-you.
I'm neither English nor Welsh but I love listening to you talk about your history. You take what is technical and make the people of the past so human.
Thanks 👍🏻
Love the success of the incendiary arrow
The "fire arrow" is actually a piece of dreadful genius. Every historian know that the thing of "plop the arrow in the burning oil and it's good to go" is a fantasy on many levels, but to have the fire "stored" inside a protective layer that then leaks the fire out once it land is... impressive and terrifying in equal measure.
I am a bladesmith cum blacksmith and I live in South Africa. I am of Irish, Scottish and English extraction with a bunch of other genetics thrown in so my interest in all things medieval is great. I have made a lot of type 14 bodkin arrow heads for my arrows and they are definitely deadly to man or beast and travel straight and true without any deflection.... a really takedown point. I love your medieval clips... keep em coming.
Cheers, will do 👍🏻
I thank the algorithm for introducing me to you today. It's great to find a channel you know you're gonna love and there's plenty there to binge watch already. Thanks Kevin.
Awesome, thank you and welcome aboard. I'm glad you're here 👍🏻
Oh Kev! You say they aren’t worth much…… dude, they are priceless ❤
Oh indeed, they're worth plenty to me.
Modern arrowheads with retractable blades are up to 3.5 inches wide when open. So they knew wide broad heads were deadly. It's bound to cut some big arteries or veins. Very informative video, thank you.
Kevin I love your history lessons and your longbow experiences. We are so blessed to have you here in western Canada. Great content, please keep the videos coming.
Thanks so much, I'm glad to be here. Will do.
I was working on a farm in Scotland and happened to find a chert barbed and tanged arrowhead (a beautifully made example by the way) just sitting on top of a potato furrow. Pocketing it, I forgot about it until I got back home and thought I better take it to the Scottish National Museum to see what they made of it. Imagine my amazement when they stated it was likely about 4,000 years old and was even more amazed when they produced a bow of similar age found in a bog. Archery is a very ancient art to be sure!
Very cool!
"Nosty piece of wuk"- Kevin Hicks I love when he says that
a demonstration of the incendiary arrow please and if KZhead permits some more details on the manufacturing process
Haha - very tempting. We'll see 😉 Thanks for watching.
Greetings from a university student from Holland! I just realised that the horseman must have been moving at great speed when they charged, so the bodkin arrows must have done quite some damage. Most shooting tests are done on stationary objects (like pigs), which reduces the penetatrion of the arrow. Can you imagine the impact when going full speed! I'm always looking forward to your videos (however gruesome they sometimes may be haha).
Great comment Simcha, thanks. 👍🏻
Thank you so much. I know so many historians that are adamant “there’s no such thing as incendiary arrows” this story and your testing along with that image of the bowmen throwing the V sign whilst firing the “fire arrow”. I still can’t believe people dispute the validity of that type of ammunition.
Nor me 🤨
Kevin is a GREAT Archer . 🙂 .
The construction, chemistry and use of incendiaries is phenomenal! Something often overused in hollywood, and occasionally dismissed by academics has some real world verification. Many thanks, sir!
I couldn't agree more! 👍🏻
So great to watch all these historical pieces from a longtime archer himself 🙏🏼
Those incendiary arrows look like fun
So amazed, I had no clue there were so many types of arrows
I appreciate your connection to the history of archery, I think it's great. Watching your videos here has got me wanting to get a longbow again (I did try it for a while a few years ago but the compound bow is easier) but now I am keen to start shooting longbow again. A friend at my club is bringing one of his this weekend for me to have go with, it should be fun. It is an interesting thing that, when attending shooting events, most of the laughter is coming from the longbow groups, they seem to have more fun than anyone else, and I want me some of that action 👍
Hey Grant, thanks for your comment. I've seen it too..... longbow groups having more fun. I hope you have a great weekend and get to shoot that bow 👍🏻
Lovely to see you Kev.. our family have seen you countless times in Warwick & Edwinstowe x
How lovely - thanks Liz, I'm enjoying talking history to an audience once again. Best wishes 👍🏻
What a nice gift! A treasure for sure
Cue: Lindybeige "Fire Arrows"
It helps to dip the arrowheads in feces, that way if the wound doesn't do the job, the infection will! Great vid
1:38 was the best sound effect ever haha
That crescent arrow point( known as bow string cutters ) were used in bulk to cut bow strings as well as people !!
I was 14, and watching you at Chepstow Castle was the best thing the school sent us for. I now shoot bows at Lee's archery range down the road in Crick 20+ years later.
Wow, that's fantastic! Please say hello to everyone at the range for me, if anyone remembers, it's been a long while since I was last there. I still get my arrow supplies from Wales Archery Specialist 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad I will certainly do that next time I'm down there - all the best!
That's really interesting with the incendiary arrow, from the movies they just looked like balls of fire and it never seemed like they would burn too much, unless it landed in a straw roof (like in every movie) very interesting.
Really good from a Worcester lad. Been to the Castle at Warwick many times. I'm 64 now. We must have met before 1980. In Spain now I have a 35 kg compound which is hard to draw, goes about 300m with training heads, can't imagine shooting a 160lb War Bow and I was string. Admire how you have kept your technique and accuracy. Very nice.
Wow, I would love to see the incendiary arrow
Haha - you're not the only one.........we'll see.
It's like having a piece of family history. Truly amazing..
@7:48 "Wow!"
It’s very nice to have those original arrow heads. Thank you for showing them.
What a fantastic video! Love the array of various arrow heads and uses. The incendiary arrow when lit would have been quite the sight!
Glad you enjoyed it. The incendiary was really understated during the event, but when it caught - wow.
Thank you. The size, shape, and weight of the bodkin show how lethal they were in battle.
Hi Charlie, thanks again for your super. I'm chuffed you enjoyed this video. I'm hoping to do something more on the incendiary this year, but at the moment where I am is tinder dry. Let's pray for rain 😉
My grandfather was my Best friend he was an amazing archer he could hit coins in the air and all kinds of accuracy. Your collection is awesome love that kind of stuff alot of my family are part of a few historical society's locally and all over we have many native American artifacts and i try to imagine when or how they were.lost since i was a kid.
How lovely 👍🏻
great stuff. I'm inspired to make more effort to get out and "enjoy" the rather bloody history of the area I live.
Nice one John 👍🏻
I always save your videos for a day that I can relax and enjoy them. They never disappoint.
Happy to hear that! Thanks.
I find myself rather intrigued by you sir, well done!
Why thank you very much 👍🏻
These videos go by so fast, truly masterful story telling and entertainment.
Really glad you're enjoying them, thanks 👍🏻
Love the story of Henry V and the surgeon who removed the bodkin arrowhead from Henry's face
I once had the pleasure of being shown one of those medieval arrowheads after chatting with you at Warwick Castle. I now make and shoot my own longbows and arrows. Thank you.
Wow, that's excellent to hear, good on you 👍🏻
The Ancestors are looking favorably upon you
Excellent Content
the part with the lady had my in tears, +1 sub
Haha, you'd be surprised at some of the comments I've heard over the years. Thanks for the sub 👍🏻
Love your vids, fascinating stuff. Regarding the American lady, I'm from Liverpool and we get a lot of American tourists on the cruise ships. Myself and the good lady were down at the waterfront a couple of years ago, when a group of Americans wandered past, one over excited lady suddenly enquired in all seriousness, "gee, is that France over there." She honestly thought the Mersey was the Channel. You can imagine the reactions of scousers, everyone was falling about, except the lady.
Hahaha - I have so many similar stories, thanks for sharing yours and thanks for watching 👍🏻
Love the sound effects
Love these, seen most of them. I'm binging again.
For any of those who we’re curios the film he worked on is called Battle of Towton | Wars of the roses | Instruments of death 10:00
better than anything on the history channel in the last 30 years
Wow, thank you. 👍🏻
I love the sound effects!
thankyou for sharing information that otherwise may be lost to time. good work!
I didn't realise that there were so many types of arrowheads. Man is ingenious when designing arms to use against an enemy.
You're a great story teller! Thank you for brining the past alive!
The first iron whaling harpoons had the same profile as the hunting broad head arrows but there was an issue with these "two-flued irons" working their way loose in the whale's attempt to escape, the solution was to remove one of the barbs reducing the likely hood of the iron working loose. Both these types were phased out in the mid 19th century in favor of Lewis Temple's toggling harpoon design which would swing out on penetration and thus firmly lodge it's self in the whale's flesh.
Yet again excellent.... Thank you.
that incendiary arrow blew my mind 🤯
Hahaha, yeah it was pretty awesome. 👍🏻
Wow, very cool history and I love the anecdotes! You have a gift for storytelling as well as archery haha.
Thanks 👍🏻
Hi Kevin, thanks again for showing your treasures. Your a great host, too. Keep up the great presentations.
Thanks, will do!
Great safety lesson as well as the untold history.
Very well done again!!
I heard that the ones used by the Japanese on their "rocket launchers" (Bo-hiya) back in 16th century also used the same recipe as his incendiary arrow, for naval battles
Very interesting. Loved it.
It was very interesting to see historical arrow points, thank you for sharing
Haha, nice pun. Thanks for watching 👍🏻
This is a really interesting video; it's a really good companion piece for the Todd's Workshop videos.
Super information! i REALLY enjoyed this 1
1:38 thats some really good sound effects you make lol
Your channel has quickly become one of my favorites for all of the interesting history and stories you share with us! I had kinda dismissed incendiary arrows as a bunch of Hollywood junk to make films more dramatic, but its really interesting to see what a real one would actually look like. Do you know of any accounts that tell of incendiary arrows being used in history?
They were used a lot in naval warfare and one off the top of my head is the sea battle of La Rochelle in France. I may include it as part of the Hundred Years War series I'm doing further down the line 👍🏻 There's a short video I did here too. kzhead.info/sun/prSbfp2qm2tpjXA/bejne.html
@@thehistorysquad thanks!
Amazing!!!
In the video game of Skyrim, you can use many different arrowheads made of different metals and bone, and they all have unique heads like many of the arrowheads you've shown from the type 16, to bodkin, to the broadhead to the fish tail. I thought that was kind of a cool detail in the game the designers added.
Fascinating. Many thanks Kevin.
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it
About the Incendiary arrow. After my 3rd watch I believe you are saying, the fuel package wouldn’t be fully engulfed at launch. The flight would invigorate the combustion. Nothing like the movies. But reality doesn’t always make good footage. I feel smarter now. Thanks Kevin.
Haha, cheers buddy. I’m hoping to do a demo on the incendiary when I get back.
Great job
Brilliant ! And funny .
I really loved this video, I’ve wanted to take up archery for a while, unfortunately I damaged both my rotator cuffs and have not been able to for three years with some damage still in my shoulders. Thank you for these videos, I’m going through them with anticipation
Oh no! I've had a rotator cuff injury so I can sympathize