Projectile weapons include any objects that use force to throw an item at an opponent.
Recurved bows made of thin strips of wood stiffened with strips of horn and strengthened with glued-on layers of cattle sinew were the first major improvement in bow technology. The development of the crossbow started in ancient times but was perfected in the Middle Ages. Interestingly, it was the English longbow, introduced to European battlefields in the 14th century, that truly made the arrow a formidable battlefield projectile.
In class activities:
- Briefly overviewed the importance of music in communication and instilling fear during battle, so much so that instruments such as drums and bagpipes have often been banned entirely
- Enjoyed a bagpipe song played by a classmate, and discussed what such a song (Amazing Grace) could tell warriors on the battlefield
- Discussed multiple projectile weapons including the atlatl, bow, and crossbow
- Diagrammed the Bodkin point and learned about why it was so feared
- Listened to a classmate explain the parts of a bow & viewed a modern bow
- Discussed the advantages of longbows vs. crossbows
- Began constructing our own bows
- Completed our own arrows
- Choose which kind of siege engine you will be building for our tournament
- Practice your timeline
