Archery Angles

Lady Alis helps guide novice archers at the Baronial Picnic, 2005

Local Mail Lists

DL-Archers - For the Archers of the Barony of Dragon's Laire Subscribe: DL-Archers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

DL-Warriors - For the Fighters of the Barony of Dragon's Laire Subscribe: DL-Warriors-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Also of interest for Combat archers: http://www.combat-archery.com/ ably kept up to date by THL Tessa the Huntress, Deputy Society Marshal for Combat Archery

Target Archery competitions are set up with divisions for longbow, crossbow, Royal Rounds, York rounds, and assorted novelty shoots. (Not every competition has all divisions)

War archery, along with other missile weaponry, enhances the experience of warfare, creating more realistic scenarios and increasing tactical opportunities

Lord Protector's Tourney: This tourney showcases war skills in a one-on-one format. Very entertaining to watch.

Junefaire Archey Range Panarama, Photo provided by Thorfinn

A panoramic view of the Archery Range at our beautiful Junefaire site in Port Gamble provided by Thorfinn

Check the An Tir Book of Archery for full details of rules and equipment requirements or see the Chief Archer.

Combat Archery Rules are now being updated and revised a copy of the draft proposal is available at Here's the link to the new draft of the missile combat rules. http://www.combat-archery.com/missiledraft )

A Hunter Finds a Home

It was about ten years ago, archery season was in full swing and I had gone hunting with some friends. While I was gone a friend of my [then] wife took her to a little event up in Arlington. Something called September Crown. It had rained for three days and yet they had day-tripped on two. When I got back she was saying what a great time they had and blah blah this and blah blah that and there was archery.
"OH?" I said. "Yes," she said "and they were shooting each other"
"OHHH," I said. She told me how this brother and sister were fighting each other. The sister shot one of her brother's arms, so he sat on his but and with one hand and his feet holding the bow killed his sister.

There was another event within the next couple of weeks called Banner War. I went and at the gate told them I would be there 15 or 20 minutes just to look around. Four hours later, I had more than enough information and had met many who have since become my friends and family. The rest as they say is another story.

HL Cedric Wlfraven

Oh Glorious War!

T'was my first, Mael-Duin's as well and what a fine time we had raining down death and dying, aye and being maimed, as well as resurrected...

There we were, gathered for battle when Mael-Duin and I found ourselves reluctant turncoats fighting for the East! Resigned to possibly maiming or killing our friends from behind the castle walls I brought an arrow to my bow, my stomach fluttering in anticipation as Mael-Duin ascended the tower steps to shoot at the side of the King. It seemed to happen so slowly and yet, all at once.

Arrows began breaching the tops of the walls and I let fly. Arrow after arrow flew out to the now enemy, some taking arms or legs others sliding away harmlessly and yet I shot. Until the day I close my eyes one final time I shall never forget the look upon the pike-man's face as he took one of my arrows in the head. Somehow the arrow flew true, through a slot between two shield-mates seemingly only inches wide and as it struck I could see the look of disbelief cross his features, he'd been felled, his was a chivalrous death.

Meanwhile up in the tower... Mael-Duin's attempting to taunt Loric, who stands opposing us upon the field, crying out "Loric, move back a little, so I might shoot you!" I do not believe any managed to kill the man- he seems able to slither away from nearly any arrow that comes his way, though he fought from his knees for quite some time.

As this battle raged, I loosed many more arrows, most disappearing into the masses toward a fate I never knew. Did any strike their mark? I still wonder. I expended my ammunition and had to remove myself from the lines, praying that the tide of the battle would move away from my now, unarmed person. Mael-Duin too, ran out of ammunition, but fate put him at the side of the King, who's supply was plentiful and he continued to shoot for some little while.

We did not hold the castle the entire day and it did not seem long before we found ourselves in the position of assaulting the walls. The King, being as he is the King, once more found himself a position in the tower, this time it was the Queen herself whom shot at his side. Many it was that she slew, myself among them twice over (ahh but resurrection is a glorious thing!) and my lord husband as well! An impressive display, even for one on the receiving end!

The first time she shot me I determined I would not, I say not be caught from above again... It was it seems, fated to be a short resurrection for as I began to loose arrows over the walls I feel something thunk into me from above and I looked up just in time to see the Queen's head sink below the lip of the tower... Well strike me PINK! She got me again! I really must learn to look up now and again! Pay attention ALIS, she keeps killing your silly self!

Your Majesty- truly, I aspire to be so accurate in such confusion... Well met!

Alas, I must confess that, as much as the double death left deep indentations upon my memory, the singular incident which carried me off the field and impressed me the most was a feat wrought by none other than the gallant yet wily Squire John Woflstan. Crafty fighter that he is he took up the challenge of ridding the assaulting forces (at least temporarily) of their archers. Slowly, quietly he flanked our small force and as I shot a heavily armed man in the sally port and turned to find another target (Having just been resurrected after the queen's final killing blow upon my person) I see him charging in among us. Well, being slow witted twice over this day my brain registers "friend" as I spy his tabard, forgetting that I am, for this day, a turn coat. Before my wilted brain can gather enough nurons to spark the flashing neon "ENEMY" sign on my retnas, he is upon me. "Light light your dead" he declares with a wide, wolfish grin. Well strike me pink! I think to myself "I am so dead!" I agree aloud, shaking my head and smiling at his bold, yet successful ploy as I walk from the field.

I was not the only archer to be felled in that one man sally. Mael-Duin had been the only one, near as I can figure, who saw him coming! He attempted to shoot him down, but luck was not with him and my lord husband too, had to leave the field as did all of the or at least, most of the archers. It seems, not one other person recognized the enemy! He walked through our ranks slaying with impunity as our heavily armed swordsmen stared numbly on! How can this be you ask? Well, who would have believed one man WOULD attempt to sneak in among us in such a way?

I will... NOW.

I wonder... How many might think it some small bit of wolfish gratification on his part- this seeming to relish my death- for the arrow I shot in his face a few weeks ago at practice...? NAAAHHHH! Mine was the lucky shot. His, the skill.

To wind it up- What an adrenaline rush! I had a blast, I know my husband did as well.

For those I shot against- my friends and neighbors, I salute you! I hope I died as graciously as you fought! For those I fought with- I salute you! It is my hope that my inexperience did not hinder you too very much and that I fought half as bravely as you did.

Thank you all for the kind advice, the helpful tips, the gracious compliments on my shooting and my armor, but most of all- thank you for the experience! It is one I hope to repeat many, many times in my future.

-Alis inghean Ruaidhri
Arcuarius to Archos Thorfinn Kolsson
Upon the occasion of Oasis War, 2005