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ARROWS vs ARMOUR - Medieval Myth Busting

Tod's Workshop・26 minutes read

The team at Tod's Workshop tests longbows and arrows against armor at the Battle of Agincourt to analyze the effectiveness of arrows, highlighting the complexities of armor protection. Practical testing with case-hardened arrowheads and historical replicas reveals the impact and limitations of armor against arrows, underscoring the significance of hands-on experimentation.

Insights

  • Joe the archer showcases the immense power of a 200-pound longbow, highlighting the formidable nature of this historical weapon.
  • The experiment delves into the intricacies of armor protection, revealing the impact of historical arrowheads, the significance of padding like jupons, and the effectiveness of case hardening in deflecting and absorbing arrow strikes.

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Recent questions

  • What is the focus of Tod's Workshop experiment?

    Testing longbows and arrows against armor.

  • Who contributes expertise on armor to the team?

    Kevin Legg from Plessis Armories.

  • What is the significance of the Battle of Agincourt in the experiment?

    Well-documented history and importance.

  • What is the role of Dr. Toby Capwell in the experiment?

    Providing historical context and expertise.

  • How does the experiment showcase the impact of armor?

    Through ballistic gel and arrow testing.

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Summary

00:00

"Agincourt Myth-Busting: Arrows vs. Armor"

  • Tod's Workshop presents "Arrows vs. Armor Agincourt myth-busting" with Joe the archer, Will the Fletcher, and Kevin the armorer.
  • The team aims to test longbows and arrows against armor to dispel myths surrounding the longbow.
  • Joe shoots a 200-pound longbow effortlessly, emphasizing the power of the weapon.
  • Will Sherman, a full-time Fletcher, and Arrowsmith, brings expertise and passion to the team.
  • Kevin Legg from Plessis Armories, a skilled armorer, contributes his knowledge of 14th-15th-century armory.
  • Dr. Toby Capwell, an author and jouster, joins the team to provide historical context and expertise.
  • The team focuses on the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 for its well-documented history and significance.
  • The experiment aims to combine historical evidence with physical tests to understand the effectiveness of arrows against armor.
  • Chronograph readings measure arrow speed and energy, with results showing 123 joules at 10 meters and 109 joules at 25 meters.
  • The team replicates historical bows, arrows, and armor to ensure accuracy in testing conditions, including the use of swan feathers, iron heads, and specific steel composition for armor.

12:30

Armor's protective capabilities against arrows and impact.

  • The doublet is a foundational garment worn under armor, providing padding and protection.
  • The ballistic gel compresses similarly to human tissue when hit, showing the impact of armor.
  • Bolting a breastplate solidly would constrain force, hindering its ability to dissipate.
  • Soft arrowheads made of wrought iron are easier to make and likely more common historically.
  • Case-hardened wrought-iron arrowheads are harder and may mark steel better but may not penetrate.
  • The armor's design, including a V-shaped rib, deflects arrows and prevents penetration.
  • The case-hardened arrowhead shattered upon impact, showing the armor's effectiveness.
  • The experiment demonstrates the complexity of armor's protective capabilities against arrows.
  • Thickly padded textile armors like jupons were a French fashion, worn over plate armor for added protection.
  • The addition of a jupon over plate armor significantly alters the impact and effectiveness of arrows, swords, and maces.

26:37

Effectiveness of Case-Hardened Arrowheads Tested

  • The arrowheads used in the test were forged in wrought iron, with some case-hardened by heating to 850 Celsius or 1500 Fahrenheit and quenched in a compound of organic materials like hoof, horn, and sugar to form a carbon layer.
  • The case-hardening process showed a difference in impact between case-hardened and uncase-hardened arrowheads, with the level of carbon affecting the results.
  • Modern steel case-hardened arrowheads were tested at a range of 10 meters, showing a deeper impact on the breastplate but not penetrating it, raising questions about the effectiveness of case hardening.
  • The need for practical testing arises due to the lack of documented information on the effectiveness of case hardening, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experimentation to determine its true value.
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