Would chainmail stop an arrow from a longbow?
Restated in more words, would a conscripted pikeman with a decent set of chainmail but no shield have any hope against an arrow from your basic english longbow?
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Andaras Starblade
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Restated in more words, would a conscripted pikeman with a decent set of chainmail but no shield have any hope against an arrow from your basic english longbow?
technology
asked 5 hours ago
Andaras Starblade
161
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Andaras Starblade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Pikemen and longbow archers seldom met on a field of battle; you may be thinking of spearmen. Pike formations were introduced in the Renaissance, by which time English longbows were already falling out of fashion. One of the few notable battles where pike formations fought against longbow archers was the battle of Flodden in 1513; the (Scottish) pike formations lost against the (English) halberd formations; the English had longbow archers in the field, but contemporary sources say that they did not have much influence on the outcome.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
P.S. Pikemen were very well trained professionals. No self-respecting officer would even think of placing a conscript in a pike formation; he would be a danger to himself and to his comrades.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
To make a point building on John's answer: plastic rings wouldn't defend against a blunt-tip arrow. Stainless steel would stop almost anything. Can you give us specifics about the arrow attack? Distance? Altitude of the archer vs. the conscript? Approximate time period in Earth's history? Location? No armor was proof against everything.
– JBH
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Restated in more words, would a conscripted pikeman with a decent set of chainmail but no shield have any hope against an arrow from your basic english longbow?
technology
asked 5 hours ago
Andaras Starblade
161
New contributor
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Restated in more words, would a conscripted pikeman with a decent set of chainmail but no shield have any hope against an arrow from your basic english longbow?
technology
technology
asked 5 hours ago
Andaras Starblade
161
New contributor
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
Andaras Starblade
161
New contributor
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
Andaras Starblade
161
New contributor
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
Andaras Starblade
161
asked 5 hours ago
Andaras Starblade
161
161
New contributor
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Pikemen and longbow archers seldom met on a field of battle; you may be thinking of spearmen. Pike formations were introduced in the Renaissance, by which time English longbows were already falling out of fashion. One of the few notable battles where pike formations fought against longbow archers was the battle of Flodden in 1513; the (Scottish) pike formations lost against the (English) halberd formations; the English had longbow archers in the field, but contemporary sources say that they did not have much influence on the outcome.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
P.S. Pikemen were very well trained professionals. No self-respecting officer would even think of placing a conscript in a pike formation; he would be a danger to himself and to his comrades.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
To make a point building on John's answer: plastic rings wouldn't defend against a blunt-tip arrow. Stainless steel would stop almost anything. Can you give us specifics about the arrow attack? Distance? Altitude of the archer vs. the conscript? Approximate time period in Earth's history? Location? No armor was proof against everything.
– JBH
5 hours ago
add a comment |
Pikemen and longbow archers seldom met on a field of battle; you may be thinking of spearmen. Pike formations were introduced in the Renaissance, by which time English longbows were already falling out of fashion. One of the few notable battles where pike formations fought against longbow archers was the battle of Flodden in 1513; the (Scottish) pike formations lost against the (English) halberd formations; the English had longbow archers in the field, but contemporary sources say that they did not have much influence on the outcome.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
P.S. Pikemen were very well trained professionals. No self-respecting officer would even think of placing a conscript in a pike formation; he would be a danger to himself and to his comrades.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
To make a point building on John's answer: plastic rings wouldn't defend against a blunt-tip arrow. Stainless steel would stop almost anything. Can you give us specifics about the arrow attack? Distance? Altitude of the archer vs. the conscript? Approximate time period in Earth's history? Location? No armor was proof against everything.
– JBH
5 hours ago
Pikemen and longbow archers seldom met on a field of battle; you may be thinking of spearmen. Pike formations were introduced in the Renaissance, by which time English longbows were already falling out of fashion. One of the few notable battles where pike formations fought against longbow archers was the battle of Flodden in 1513; the (Scottish) pike formations lost against the (English) halberd formations; the English had longbow archers in the field, but contemporary sources say that they did not have much influence on the outcome.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
Pikemen and longbow archers seldom met on a field of battle; you may be thinking of spearmen. Pike formations were introduced in the Renaissance, by which time English longbows were already falling out of fashion. One of the few notable battles where pike formations fought against longbow archers was the battle of Flodden in 1513; the (Scottish) pike formations lost against the (English) halberd formations; the English had longbow archers in the field, but contemporary sources say that they did not have much influence on the outcome.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
P.S. Pikemen were very well trained professionals. No self-respecting officer would even think of placing a conscript in a pike formation; he would be a danger to himself and to his comrades.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
P.S. Pikemen were very well trained professionals. No self-respecting officer would even think of placing a conscript in a pike formation; he would be a danger to himself and to his comrades.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
To make a point building on John's answer: plastic rings wouldn't defend against a blunt-tip arrow. Stainless steel would stop almost anything. Can you give us specifics about the arrow attack? Distance? Altitude of the archer vs. the conscript? Approximate time period in Earth's history? Location? No armor was proof against everything.
– JBH
5 hours ago
To make a point building on John's answer: plastic rings wouldn't defend against a blunt-tip arrow. Stainless steel would stop almost anything. Can you give us specifics about the arrow attack? Distance? Altitude of the archer vs. the conscript? Approximate time period in Earth's history? Location? No armor was proof against everything.
– JBH
5 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
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This depends a lot on the arrow and type of chainmail. the draw of the bow (english longbows do not have a standardized draw) also matters. A broadhead hitting a six ring mail wouldn't yield much more than a scratch, a spike bodkin will go right through 4 ring mail and barely notice the chainmail.
answered 5 hours ago
John
30.7k842108
This is the right answer, though I wish for more detail. The quality of the metal (both for the arrow and the armor), the density of the rings (which might be what you're talking about with 4-ring and 6-ring mail). As well the cushioning under the mail, if any (allowing the mail to flex), etc. This answer would be better with a couple more paragraphs.
– JBH
5 hours ago
add a comment |
If the pikeman was 20 yards farther than the maximum range of the bow he would be safe from that shot since it wouldn't even reach him.
In the US Civil War bullets would slow down as they traveled farther and father and would eventually be what was called "spent rounds" shortly before falling to the ground. Many soldiers survived being hit by spent rounds without serious injury.
If the same thing happened to arrows then there would be distances where arrows from even the strongest bows couldn't reach, closer distances where unarmored men wouldn't be seriously injured by arrows, closer distances where men in mail were safe but unarmored men would be seriously wounded, closer distances where arrows penetrated mail and inflicted serious wounds but couldn't penetrate plate armor, and perhaps closer distances where arrows might penetrate even plate armor.
And perhaps someone who is more of an expert on medieval archery will be able to tell you what those ranges would be.
answered 5 hours ago
M. A. Golding
7,716424
add a comment |
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This depends a lot on the arrow and type of chainmail. the draw of the bow (english longbows do not have a standardized draw) also matters. A broadhead hitting a six ring mail wouldn't yield much more than a scratch, a spike bodkin will go right through 4 ring mail and barely notice the chainmail.
answered 5 hours ago
John
30.7k842108
This is the right answer, though I wish for more detail. The quality of the metal (both for the arrow and the armor), the density of the rings (which might be what you're talking about with 4-ring and 6-ring mail). As well the cushioning under the mail, if any (allowing the mail to flex), etc. This answer would be better with a couple more paragraphs.
– JBH
5 hours ago
add a comment |
This depends a lot on the arrow and type of chainmail. the draw of the bow (english longbows do not have a standardized draw) also matters. A broadhead hitting a six ring mail wouldn't yield much more than a scratch, a spike bodkin will go right through 4 ring mail and barely notice the chainmail.
answered 5 hours ago
John
30.7k842108
This is the right answer, though I wish for more detail. The quality of the metal (both for the arrow and the armor), the density of the rings (which might be what you're talking about with 4-ring and 6-ring mail). As well the cushioning under the mail, if any (allowing the mail to flex), etc. This answer would be better with a couple more paragraphs.
– JBH
5 hours ago
add a comment |
This depends a lot on the arrow and type of chainmail. the draw of the bow (english longbows do not have a standardized draw) also matters. A broadhead hitting a six ring mail wouldn't yield much more than a scratch, a spike bodkin will go right through 4 ring mail and barely notice the chainmail.
answered 5 hours ago
John
30.7k842108
This depends a lot on the arrow and type of chainmail. the draw of the bow (english longbows do not have a standardized draw) also matters. A broadhead hitting a six ring mail wouldn't yield much more than a scratch, a spike bodkin will go right through 4 ring mail and barely notice the chainmail.
answered 5 hours ago
John
30.7k842108
answered 5 hours ago
John
30.7k842108
answered 5 hours ago
John
30.7k842108
answered 5 hours ago
John
30.7k842108
30.7k842108
This is the right answer, though I wish for more detail. The quality of the metal (both for the arrow and the armor), the density of the rings (which might be what you're talking about with 4-ring and 6-ring mail). As well the cushioning under the mail, if any (allowing the mail to flex), etc. This answer would be better with a couple more paragraphs.
– JBH
5 hours ago
add a comment |
This is the right answer, though I wish for more detail. The quality of the metal (both for the arrow and the armor), the density of the rings (which might be what you're talking about with 4-ring and 6-ring mail). As well the cushioning under the mail, if any (allowing the mail to flex), etc. This answer would be better with a couple more paragraphs.
– JBH
5 hours ago
This is the right answer, though I wish for more detail. The quality of the metal (both for the arrow and the armor), the density of the rings (which might be what you're talking about with 4-ring and 6-ring mail). As well the cushioning under the mail, if any (allowing the mail to flex), etc. This answer would be better with a couple more paragraphs.
– JBH
5 hours ago
This is the right answer, though I wish for more detail. The quality of the metal (both for the arrow and the armor), the density of the rings (which might be what you're talking about with 4-ring and 6-ring mail). As well the cushioning under the mail, if any (allowing the mail to flex), etc. This answer would be better with a couple more paragraphs.
– JBH
5 hours ago
add a comment |
If the pikeman was 20 yards farther than the maximum range of the bow he would be safe from that shot since it wouldn't even reach him.
In the US Civil War bullets would slow down as they traveled farther and father and would eventually be what was called "spent rounds" shortly before falling to the ground. Many soldiers survived being hit by spent rounds without serious injury.
If the same thing happened to arrows then there would be distances where arrows from even the strongest bows couldn't reach, closer distances where unarmored men wouldn't be seriously injured by arrows, closer distances where men in mail were safe but unarmored men would be seriously wounded, closer distances where arrows penetrated mail and inflicted serious wounds but couldn't penetrate plate armor, and perhaps closer distances where arrows might penetrate even plate armor.
And perhaps someone who is more of an expert on medieval archery will be able to tell you what those ranges would be.
answered 5 hours ago
M. A. Golding
7,716424
add a comment |
If the pikeman was 20 yards farther than the maximum range of the bow he would be safe from that shot since it wouldn't even reach him.
In the US Civil War bullets would slow down as they traveled farther and father and would eventually be what was called "spent rounds" shortly before falling to the ground. Many soldiers survived being hit by spent rounds without serious injury.
If the same thing happened to arrows then there would be distances where arrows from even the strongest bows couldn't reach, closer distances where unarmored men wouldn't be seriously injured by arrows, closer distances where men in mail were safe but unarmored men would be seriously wounded, closer distances where arrows penetrated mail and inflicted serious wounds but couldn't penetrate plate armor, and perhaps closer distances where arrows might penetrate even plate armor.
And perhaps someone who is more of an expert on medieval archery will be able to tell you what those ranges would be.
answered 5 hours ago
M. A. Golding
7,716424
add a comment |
If the pikeman was 20 yards farther than the maximum range of the bow he would be safe from that shot since it wouldn't even reach him.
In the US Civil War bullets would slow down as they traveled farther and father and would eventually be what was called "spent rounds" shortly before falling to the ground. Many soldiers survived being hit by spent rounds without serious injury.
If the same thing happened to arrows then there would be distances where arrows from even the strongest bows couldn't reach, closer distances where unarmored men wouldn't be seriously injured by arrows, closer distances where men in mail were safe but unarmored men would be seriously wounded, closer distances where arrows penetrated mail and inflicted serious wounds but couldn't penetrate plate armor, and perhaps closer distances where arrows might penetrate even plate armor.
And perhaps someone who is more of an expert on medieval archery will be able to tell you what those ranges would be.
answered 5 hours ago
M. A. Golding
7,716424
If the pikeman was 20 yards farther than the maximum range of the bow he would be safe from that shot since it wouldn't even reach him.
In the US Civil War bullets would slow down as they traveled farther and father and would eventually be what was called "spent rounds" shortly before falling to the ground. Many soldiers survived being hit by spent rounds without serious injury.
If the same thing happened to arrows then there would be distances where arrows from even the strongest bows couldn't reach, closer distances where unarmored men wouldn't be seriously injured by arrows, closer distances where men in mail were safe but unarmored men would be seriously wounded, closer distances where arrows penetrated mail and inflicted serious wounds but couldn't penetrate plate armor, and perhaps closer distances where arrows might penetrate even plate armor.
And perhaps someone who is more of an expert on medieval archery will be able to tell you what those ranges would be.
answered 5 hours ago
M. A. Golding
7,716424
answered 5 hours ago
M. A. Golding
7,716424
answered 5 hours ago
M. A. Golding
7,716424
answered 5 hours ago
M. A. Golding
7,716424
7,716424
add a comment |
add a comment |
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Andaras Starblade is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Pikemen and longbow archers seldom met on a field of battle; you may be thinking of spearmen. Pike formations were introduced in the Renaissance, by which time English longbows were already falling out of fashion. One of the few notable battles where pike formations fought against longbow archers was the battle of Flodden in 1513; the (Scottish) pike formations lost against the (English) halberd formations; the English had longbow archers in the field, but contemporary sources say that they did not have much influence on the outcome.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
P.S. Pikemen were very well trained professionals. No self-respecting officer would even think of placing a conscript in a pike formation; he would be a danger to himself and to his comrades.
– AlexP
5 hours ago
To make a point building on John's answer: plastic rings wouldn't defend against a blunt-tip arrow. Stainless steel would stop almost anything. Can you give us specifics about the arrow attack? Distance? Altitude of the archer vs. the conscript? Approximate time period in Earth's history? Location? No armor was proof against everything.
– JBH
5 hours ago