"Why Archers Didn’t Volley Fire" Topic

I always wondered about this since archer's didn't draw and hold before modern compound bows with leverage systems.

Why Archers Didn't Volley Fire

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Archers didn't engage in coordinated all-at-once shooting (called ‘volley fire'), they did not shoot in volleys because there wouldn't be any point to do so. Indeed, part of the reason there was such confusion over what a general is supposed to shout instead of ‘fire!' is that historical tactical manuals don't generally have commands for coordinated bow shooting because armies didn't do coordinated bow shooting. Instead, archers generated a ‘hail' or ‘rain' (those are the typical metaphors) of arrows as each archer shot in their own best time.

Heretic.

I wonder what the command was for any type of shooting at all. "There they are boys. You know what to do. Let 'em have it!"

"Gentlemen, let us ruin the day of that particular Frenchman over there."

I like Kuznetsov's order to release. Just make it so much more personal!

Hold it! Are they suggesting that Hollywood is wrong? I find it hard to believe; if I saw it is a movie, it has to be accurate.

Seriously, the post makes sense. Assuming that the proposition is correct, why would there be "formations" such as the oft-depicted Roman "testudo"? Would such a formation be useful against an enemy wielding hand weapons? It strikes me (no pun intended) that such a formation would be difficult to maneuver, especially if some naked barbarian is pounding on it with a battle axe.

I always smile when people suggest the order given to begin using their bows was 'Fire'. This an abbreviation of 'Give Fire' – for firearms!
Historically, I think the order was 'Shoot' – if any order was needed, for the reason in the O.P.

Interesting read

Me: Draws 100 lbs. longbow.

My sergeant: "HOLD! HOLD! … HOLD!"

@Herkybird – I agree, the actual word was probably "Shoot" or "Loose" or my guess is it was just "NOW!" and they all started shooting.

I think the first volley might have been prompted by "loose" but after that is was as fast as you could manage. One of the things I liked in the Branagh "H V" was the servants dropping of bundles of arrow before the battle.

"We're gonna rain on you Warriors!"

— Orphan Lieutenant

The command was "loose" – shoot refers to firearms.

As a generality I suspect that all bow units are under command in terms of when to shoot and when not to shoot. This might be very important when the bows are part of a greater unit. Byzantines and WOTR for examples.

martin

I can see how coordinated volleys would not be viable. It does seem that the archers could all draw an arrow, fit it to the string, and hold it there without drawing the bow. Once the officer calls out, "Now, lads," they draw back the arrow, while pointing the bow up and at the enemy, then let fly. After that, they would move into a sort of "Fire at will" mode.

If I understand the article correctly, individual archers would have different ranges, based on their individual strength and perhaps the way the bow was built. This certainly isn't built into large army rules (I can definitely see that!), I don't think it is built into skirmish type rules, like Saga, or even rules like D & D, where you only deal with one figure. I've got to think about this one.

Anyway, it was a really interesting article.

Grelber

@DeRuyter "Shoot" is older than firearms…

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Middle English sheten "hasten from place to place; move swiftly; thrust forward; discharge a missile, send an arrow from a bow," from Old English sceotan (class II strong verb; past tense sceat, past participle scoten), "dart forth, go swiftly and suddenly," also "discharge (a missile or weapon);"

In order for a coordinated action, one must believe that they have trained and functioned as a unit under that leader. IIRC, in most (not all) medieval battles, the indentured noble was to meet the army at the assembly point. At that time, troop types (archers, mounted men at arms, ash and trash etc.) were grouped together into (for lack of a better term) units under the leadership of one of the nobles (or whomever as appointed by the person in charge of the "army"). There was no attempt to make or keep lines in order, perhaps only a drum or bugle call to announce when they were to attack or hold their ground. Not really capable of being controlled much more than that tactically. I would love someone that can add more to that with references.

Erpingham cried "Nestroq" at Agincourt, according to the French chronicler Jean de Waverin.

And english historians still argue about what he really said.

Now Strike is a popular choice, or now stretch or knee stretch alongside others.

Wikipedia says Now Strike – I wonder how it can be so sure …

You dare question Wikipedia?!? Shame, sir! Shame!

Erpingham: "NESTROQ!"
Archer next to him: "What? Oops… arrow slipped."
All the other archers follow suit.
Erpingham: "Thetwurqs, too."

He also threw his command baton in the air as a visual signal.

The point being that the archers would have loosed – at least their first arrow – together. A volley in other words.

And since the arrows would have come at a rate of 1 every 6-10 seconds it would have looked a lot like volley fire – particularly to those on the receiving end

"Nock! Draw! Loose!"
Ser Aliser Thorne, Game of Thrones.

Except that's a silly series of orders. Like shouting every step in loading a musket, as if your men don't already know how.