Robin Hood's Gear

[Ssamac]

For those of you who saw the movie and those who will see it soon, was fascinated by Robin's gear. We know about the longbow, but did you notice what they used for a tab? Looked like tape on the fingers of the string hand. I suppose it was leather or similar back in those days.

The quiver was a really different rig too. I expected the big leather back quiver but was more like a stalker quiver. What I don't get is how they didn't spill the arrows all over running in the woods. I thought that maybe they tied them in but the arrows were free to draw.

So what are your thoughts?

Sam
         

[robtattoo]

Well, I've not seen the movie yet (NOBODY SPOIL IT!!!) but historically speaking English archers didn't wear anything on the drawing fingers. No tab, glove or stalls at all. Yes, we're that tough     :D

Medieval quivers were simply just cloth bags, usually worn around the waist. Sometimes worn vertically down the side, sometimes horizontally behind the back. The quivers were often fitted with a punched leather disc that held the arrows securely in place, but the cloth was soft enough that it'd pull the arrow in tight, yet let them be drawn when needed (Kinda like a well made back quiver does today)

[Ssamac]

Wow that would really mess up the fingers. In the film they had something that looked like tape on the fingers.

The quivers were just as you described horizontally so I could just see all the arrows spilling but the leather disk makes sense.

See the movie. Some great archery with those longbows. What a weapon.

sam

[Grey Taylor]

I never, EVER, look for historical accuracy of any kind in movies. Not even documentaries, for that matter.
Both are too much at the director's whim.

Guy

[Shakes.602]

I Hope it isnt what the Previews showed..........
  "Gladiator with a Bow & Arras" I am Very Anxious to See It Myself!!

[Ssamac]

Well I wasn't going there for a history lesson but was interested in how those bows shot etc. Robtattoo's description is right on. They carried a lot of arrows and those arrows looked pretty heavy to me. Heck of a point too.

sam

[bowhunterfrompast]

Originally posted by Grey Taylor:
I never, EVER, look for historical accuracy of any kind in movies. Not even documentaries, for that matter.
Both are too much at the director's whim.

Guy

Guy...good point, I watched Robin Hood on the history channel, and the experts had different views.

robtattoo...great info  :cool:  

I bowfish with out finger protection, not that hard to do  

[Grey Taylor]

Perhaps I should have said "any accuracy" rather than just historical accuracy.
It still makes me grit my teeth when I see cowboys "throw" the bullets out of their 27 shooters. Modern movies aren't any better. Remember the big discussion about Avatar and how the string drawing hand was held? Turns out it's because the director wanted them to look different... nothing more than that.

Sorry, someone went and put a soapbox in front of me. I'll be quiet now.

Guy

[Al Kidner]

Here you go fans...

 


ak.

[wapitimike1]

Shucks, now I have to see it again!!!!

[Eugene Slagle]

This is a movie I want to see.