[Ansteorra-archery] Re: Crossbow shooting & Popinjay

[Eadric Anstapa]

There are many forms of "popinjay" shooting.  Not all of them are at 40
yards.  I have heard of them as low as 10 yards.

Reckoned to be the oldest organized archery tournament in England the Papingo
 Shoot (the Scottish version of Popinjay) was organized in 1483 in the town
of Kilwinning, Scotland.  A bird (single bird) was suspended from the end of
a pole at the top of the 100 ft tall Abbey Tower.  They still hold that shoot
each June.

http://www.askarts.co.uk/aska.html
http://www.nvvth.nl/Nieuws/Nayr.htm


While the die-hard traditionals still hold those single bird shoot it seems
that most modern popinjay shoots (also called papegay) are as Andrew
described.  Three rings with a selection of chicks, hens, and a cock.

Often there are shot at much lower heights than that of the 30+ yard tall
Kilwinning tower.  40 feet seems to be a popular height.

http://freespace.virgin.net/neil.morris1/popinjay.html

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/splomas/myarch/British/pjay1.htm


Did you know that archery did not appear at the Olypics until 1900?  At the
1904 Olympics at St Louis the archeyr was a Popinjay shoot, only American
competitors took part.


Regards,

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



framptonandy at highstream.com said:

> Ulric
>
> Before you get too carried away about 'Popinjay' being easy - the mast is 30
> yards tall, and an arrow proof shelter should be provided for those waiting
> to shoot. The roost is 1 cock bird, 4 hens, and 24+ chicks arranged on 3
> levels. An arrow or bolt if shot straight up - especially if its windy - can
> go a long way (just ask the unfortunate owner of an air gym when I made a
> mistake!) and is very unpredictable. Distance from the mast for the shooter
> is not prescribed, but the closer the you stand, the better the chance of
> hitting something.
> If you browse around, you should be able to find details on setting up a
> horizontal Popinjay - this can be done indoors, and traditionally involves
> an oblong building with a corridor along the long side, the archer (or
> Xbowman) shoots down the corridor at the roost which is housed in a suitable
> arrow catcher, when clear, he proceeds down the corridor and collects his
> missiles, returning through the adjoining room. The room should be equiped
> with the usual archery accessories - Bar, Drinks, Snacks, seats, and as a
> last resort, a view of the archer in action (shooting his bow/xbow not just
> the usual line!). Scores are dependant upon the bird hit, (and the number of
> drinks consumed)
>
> Wishing you all the best of luck in this endeavour
>
> Andrew
>
>