Keep us updated on the content--it looked like a really interesting book, but as a college student I probably shouldn't go ordering a copy just yet. If reports indicate it's worth it, I'll probably break down and buy a copy, thought.
My copy arrived yesterday and I have had a quick glance through the archery section this morning.
First the book actually comes in two parts (two separate books) in a cardboard sleeve, all together it makes a heavy parcel, no wonder I had to pay 18 UK pounds to have it airmailed to me. Now while the remainder looks to be very interesting I have initially only examined the parts of the Archery section, specifically the section on the bows and I must say I am disappointed.
I was expecting tables giving full measurements of all the intact or near intact bows, similar to those published by Hugh Soar etc. Instead we have a table, of 128 bows (if my quick count is accurate), that shows the length (presumably tip to tip, not nock to nock), and width/depth measurements at the centre, and 500mm and 900mm up each limb, plus whether they have a bowyer's mark, are set back in the handle and if they have double string notches. Not exactly enough data to make accurate replicas.
There are also other tables that give additional data for some bows, 6 bows described as "Slab sided and 15 bows described as D section, where the tables provide width/depth info for points 100mm, 200mm 400mm 600mm, 800mm, 900mm up each limb, plus the length of the horn (nock) stain and the width/depth at the so called tillering nock. Therefore for these bows, if we combine the info these tables with that in the previously mentioned table we get measurements at the centre plus 100mm, 200mm, 400mm, 500mm, 600mm, 800mm & 900mm up the limbs plus the info on the nocks. So we are missing measurements at 300mm, 700mm and information on the length between nocks. Therefore even for these 21 bows we are missing data that would be necessary if one wanted to make replicas. What makes this even more disappointing is that in the text of the book where the authors of the section reporting on the bows begin to talk about then they say " The process of measurement took two distinctive forms: specific linear measurements together with the intensive recording of the width and depths of the upper and lower limbs at 100mm intervals from the perceived centre of the bow through to the tips, and recording of particular features and their inter-relationships in terms of linear measurement, orientation and contextual deposition. So it seems they took all the measurements but just have not presented them.
With regard to the arrows, I have only glanced at that section but it seems to offer far more information that we have had before, will have to look more closely at it.
For those who are interested or were involved in the recent discussion on warbow strings it seems that the Mary Rose Trust has tentatively identified a length of cordage as part of a bow string, have not read the section yet but there is one on it.
Craig.
