[Ansteorra-archery] Hand Protection when using Longbows and Recurves

[Eadric Anstapa]

Greetings to Archers and Marshals of Ansteorra,

As you all know when using a Longbow or Recurve in combat archers may wear a
half-gantlet on the hand used to draw the string but must wear a Full
Gauntlet on the hand used to hold the bow.  This level of protection is
required by the SCA-wide combat archery rules.

At Steppes 12th night I was approached by Lady Alienor Lewelyne of House
Arkham who asked me if it would be acceptable to mount a basket hilt on a
bow so that the archer could wear half gauntlet and still have the required
level of hand protection.  I believe the plan was to perhaps use the
injection molded basket hilts produced by Duke Baldar.

My first impression was that this is a good plan and it seems to me it would
be of particular benefit to troops switching between acting as siege crews
and archers.

I have thought more on the idea, I have consulted with archery marshals from
other kingdoms.  I have learned that this is not a new idea.  It seems that
it has been allowed in Meridies for some time and that there is event an
armorer there that makes and sells bow baskets for just this purpose.
Therefore our neighbors in Meridies have no problems with this and we might
actually see it in use at Gulf War by Meridian troops.

I have consulted with our Earl Marshal and we have made a decision.

Instead of a Full Gauntlet on the bow hand,  Ansteorran archers may have a
basket hilt mounted to the bow and use an appropriate half gauntlet.
Provided the basket is of sufficient strength and coverage that it would be
allowed in armored combat with rattan weapons with said half-gantlets.


We will incorporate these changes into our next rules set.

In Service,

Lord Eadric Anstapa
Kingdom Archery Marshal, Ansteorra
eadric at scabrewer.com