ARCH - What If

Fri Mar 23 17:06:48 PST 2001

Well this is all very true, I have been told many condecending remarks, when 
it comes to the way people view archers in the SCA, not all I assure you but 
some actually downgrade archers. When I first got involved in the SCA a few 
years ago I was interested in the crossbow, and the first person I spoke to 
about it said, oh no archers are the pit of evil in the renasicance arena, 
archers were not considered honorable, only someone who fights with a big 
sword is considered honorable. SO I never picked up a crossbow at all. In 
fact I never went to the archery list field, never once. In fact until about 
a month ago I would never have even entertained the thought of being a 
combat archer or a target archer because I felt no self worth in using a 
bow/crossbow. One because it is not my goal to be the best archer in the 
known world, and also because archery to me is something to play at, not to 
perfect really. So as far as rewards well I don't expect any. BUT!! there 
are some who take it very seriously and it is for them that I speak. So let 
me tell you a story about myself that starts about a month ago. My wife 
decided she might want to be a white diamond. It stemmed from going to an 
archery practise and shooting a bow for fun one night, not because she 
really wanted too, because one of our daughters wanted to and she decided to 
give it a whirl. She was hooked, she bought two bows 3 days later. She got 
her bow in the mail (she is an ebay junky) and we went to the archery supply 
down the road. Still I had no desire to be an archer, why because I am a 
barbarian and I didn't want to be a dishonorable Viking warrior, doesn't fit 
my personna ya see, and everyone that knows me knows "I am the evil twin." 
so I didn't want to get a bad reputation of being an archer. So that day we 
got home and she was having a hard time with her bow slapping her wrist. So 
I proceeded to help her get a better grip on the bow and straighten her arm 
so it wouldn't hurt her all the time, well I got that gleam in my eye, and 
she said your going to take my bow aren't you. So I did, (I got her another 
one.. grin) So the next week I was Combat authorized and I left for gulf 
wars, my first war, and my first fight. I kept thinking to myself that it 
was ok to be the little boy that plays the flute in the marching band, and 
that being an archer was not weak, nonbarbaric. To tell you the truth I 
still had my apprehension about being the 6'5" barbarian pansy...it's not 
just about what people think, I just didn't feel comfortable. I mean I am 
truly Viking and barbaric...some say evil. So playing with little stick and 
string just didn't feel right. The first day we were there we drank so no 
reason to worry there, the second day we actually got to set up camp ..no 
rain. Finally on the fourth day I got to suit up in armor and walk to the 
battle field, it was a wonderful feeling, but I still walked with my bow 
behind my back. I was ashamed. I walked on though because the thought of 
being able to get out on that field and participate overcame the feel of 
embarassment. Everyone teased me the whole way there, and I felt it deep. My 
determination to serve the King and Queen (cough) prevailed though, right 
until I got to the field and they said to me, are you seige or archer, I 
claimed archer, and the remark was "alright we need one more body on the 
field", with a snicker the man walked away. Now I was agravated, embarassed 
and felt very much like I was not wanted nor needed on the field. My friends 
kept telling me it was great that I could get out to war and not to worry, 
cheered me on, but inside I was ready to leave. After all I was just a white 
diamond, noone would miss me. I pursued very relentlessly, and I never 
really let anyone know I was feeling ashamed/embarrassed, I have never been 
one to let anyone see me sweat. Do ya get the picture, it really kind of 
sucked up to this point, and for someone to degrade the art of archery is 
really not very inspiring. I finally got on the battle field and when the 
tough grunting warriors in front of me pursued on and crashed with a 
thunderous shield to shield collision, I still felt slighted, arrows started 
to fly and I stooped behind the line, probably 50 feet back and every once 
in a while a let one fly precisely where I wanted it to land but no one 
fell, I placed it well and well it went but no one fell. They looked at me 
and snarled and went on, no one cared. No one recognized me as a threat at 
all, so I was that barabarian pansy. I failed. I got mad and drew closer, 20 
feet or so, let one fly again and again. Still no one fell, finally I 
stepped in and well maybe just shy of 15 feet I let one fly to the ribs of a 
nice bare spot (no armor) right to the ribs, right to the left side, pleanty 
of draw and maybe a touch more, I was tired of not having the kill, I was 
tired of not being a deterent to life. I was pushed into it I swear, and 
finally a man came to me obviously more honorable than I, for he called my 
score and shook my hand. I felt bad....for a second, then gleefull. I killed 
one dead I thought. But I was still ashamed. I cheated. I lost all that I 
had. A man without honor is nothing. No matter what weapon he chooses. The 
Trimarian had more honor than I and it ate me up. No one knew that until 
now. I prolly shouldn't take it so hard right, I can justify it all day 
long, maybe I was 15 feet, and maybe I didn't really draw to 29 or 30 inches 
creating my 30# bow to be more like 40 to 44. It definitely taught me more 
of a lesson than any one thing I have ever learned from any marshall on the 
field. Sure there was a lot of Rhino-hiding. And there was a lot of extra 
hard hitters coming from the enemy, but I had no excuse. SO when I went back 
to the sidelines I said "damnit why did noone take those flying spears 
seriously"...the answer was "no one ever does, thats why they say your just 
another body on the field". In the end I had a lot of fun despite some set 
backs and I really got over being embarrassed, and one thing really made me 
realize just how I felt/feel now. The last fort battle on Saturday I was 
still shooting those bolts all over, I ran a seige engine for a while, I met 
a lot of really cool folks. I made a ballista with a half ton leaf spring 
that shoots a bolt about 100 yards (or more) and I sat around the campfire 
listening to beautiful voices sing song. But next year, I am gonna have a 
double headed axe and a heavy sword (florentine) and I am gonna pound some 
heads....I am gonna kick some butt....why because no one respects a bow and 
arrow, why because when my 6'5" butt comes down on their skull they won't be 
able to laugh it off. That is what the warriors respect. The difference is I 
am gonna stand in the distance with my bow and sail a few before I crush 
them.

Tyrfingr "Tyr" Tjuguskegg
of Clan Grepyr
The Barbarian Horde of Gate's Edge

>From: Derek Wilson <dwilson at dollar.com>
>Reply-To: ansteorra-archery at ansteorra.org
>To: "'ansteorra-archery at ansteorra.org'" <ansteorra-archery at ansteorra.org>
>Subject: RE: ARCH - What If
>Date: Fri, 23 Mar 2001 15:06:20 -0600
>
>Well. I'm a newbie (9 months) but have been very active in Northkeep so let
>me express how it appears to a new person coming in who is already an
>accomplished mundane archer (albeit a long time ago). I have been biding my
>time looking for what I wanted to focus on first within the SCA. I first
>looked to archery as I am already fairly familiar with it as a modern 
>sport.
>After going to a few events and seeing the overall lack of participation
>(never more than 5 to 10) and lack of recognition. I decided that I would
>look elsewhere where a newbie could perhaps meet more people and quite
>honestly be noticed more readily. It wasn't until I went to a War where I
>actually saw archers do anything besides meet in groups of 5 or 10 and 
>shoot
>target. So that is why I have come full circle and decided to become
>northkeeps marshall and try and foster more archery in the northkeep area.
>But it took nine months and a war to reach this point. I was all set to get
>into Rapier or HW so that I could feel like I was a part of this dream
>called the SCA. Had there been more recognition/participation  I would have
>had no doubts and would have already been the archery marshall in the
>Northkeep area. So do I think there should be more recognition, yes....GoA
>maybe not....These other awards I know nothing about (Centurion/Falcon 
>ect.)
>So perhaps it is a case of archers not promoting themselves enough with the
>existing awards I quite honestly don't know. All I do know is that at this
>point in time there is little to draw new people to the Archery side of the
>SCA except personal exploration. And that is the "problem", participation
>will breed recognition, and when enough current awards are being given to
>archers a GoA level will be created whether we desire on or not....
>
>Diethelm Waltorfer
>
>Derek B. Wilson
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: EleanorCleavely at aol.com [mailto:EleanorCleavely at aol.com]
>Sent: Friday, March 23, 2001 2:40 PM
>To: ansteorra-archery at ansteorra.org
>Subject: Re: ARCH - What If
>
>Greetings all!
>
>After reading what all of you have so astutely said, I have to say that I
>believe archers, both combat and target, should be recognized as archers
>period. We should not divide ourselves and say "I'm a combat archer and am
>much better than a target archer" or vice-versa. It's just like saying a
>rapier fighter who fights case is much better than a rapier fighter who
>fights with a buckler.
>
>I also believe that there should be an award for archery as well as one for
>equestrian. This is necessary because it encourages people to try out a new
>skill. The rapier community was small until the White Scarves came about. 
>It
>
>was an encouragement, a "look what you can achieve if you try this" sort of
>thing. Archery needs this.
>
>Our kingdom is sorely lacking in recognition when it comes to archery and
>equestrian events. We need to recognize those who choose to apply 
>themselves
>
>in these areas because they were necessary in the times we recreate. 
>Archers
>
>were necessary. Equestrians were necessary. They were recognized for their
>bravery and skill both on the battlefield and during tournaments. Why are 
>we
>
>not doing this? Are we not recreating the Middle Ages and Renaissance?
>
>The point is is that we need to stop bickering amongst ourselves and unify
>as
>archers. We are a rare breed in these parts and must stand together to
>achieve recognition.
>
>Agree? Disagree?
>
>Yours,
>Lady Eleanor Cleavely

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