Bowmen shooting at the butts from the Luttrell Psalter circa 1320 – 1340.  From the Assize of Arms of 1252, also called the Ordinance of 1252, Henry III obliged every able-bodied man aged 15-60 to arm themselves with bows and arrows.

From the image, it is difficult to extrapolate whether two or three arrows are being shot per end.  There are six figures depicted and eight arrows visible.  The two archers at the back may have shot or still have arrows tucked into their belts.  Certainly no more than three arrows per end and not less than two seem likely.

Notice also the bulbous blunt arrows and nocks and double-looped bowstrings.  

C/O the British Library

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Shooting at the Buttsale

The tem 'butts' in, an archery context, perhaps derives from from Old French but "aim, goal, end, target" of an arrow, etc. (13c.), which seems to be a fusion of Old French words for "end" (bot) and "aim, goal" (but), both ultimately from Germanic. The latter is from Frankish *but "stump, stock, block," or some other Germanic source (compare Old Norse butr "log of wood").  Certainly, ‘Shooting at the butts’, was the staple medieval practise that honed generations of bowmen’s skill.  The butts were the targets for long range shooting and consisted of nothing more complicated than a turfed mound of earth (or better still two) set at good distance apart to encourage strong shooting.  Around 220 paces, or a furlong, were traditional.  As the standard of military archery declined during the Tudor period the authorities were alarmed enough to put measures into place to address it.  A 1541 bill decreed that it was forbidden for any man over the age of twenty-four to shoot at a mark less than 220yards in distance, thus necessitating the need for mastery of a heavy longbow.

In the centre of each butt was placed a plated garland at the height of a man’s chest.  The best representation of a longbow butt is an illustration in the Luttrell Psalter which was written and illustrated in the years between 1325-35.  Every Sunday, after church, and Holy days, thousands of Welshmen would shoot for enjoyment at the butts (and this was reinforced by the royal edict of Edward III who made it obligatory in 1363).  This sport was in no small part responsible for elevating our archers to become the undisputed best in Europe.  Rather like rugby now, archery was the national obsession and clearly fitted our mindset.    

In 1515 Henry VIII, a keen archer and son of Welshman Henry Tudor, amended an earlier statute to ensure this was perpetuated from father to soon.

 

"bowes and arrowes be bought for chyldren under XVII and above VII yere, by him that has such a chylde in his house, and the Maister maye stoppe it againe of his wages, and after that age he to provideb them himself."

 

During the Middle Ages one can imagine family (and perhaps regional) shooting styles. Due to globalisation and modern national /international coaching guidelines this is no longer so.      

However, the crack Welsh archers (serving in English armies) enemies could not or dare not encourage such activities themselves.  The Scots clan based society was not centralised enough to enforce such practise and social order was too unstable to arm train and arm the French ‘Levée en masse’ with such a devastating weapon.  Neither nation took to the bow in way the Welsh did.  A look at any map of Wales and England will show how shooting at the butts was so wide spread as it has left an indelible mark.  Many villages and towns will bear the name of ‘The Butts’ or ‘Butts Lane’ etc with Worcester’s ‘The Butts’ being a particularly famous example.  The longbow was the yeoman’s weapon.  Perhaps this is one of the reasons our Peasant’s Revolt was more successful then some other nations?

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Warbow Wales will hold accuracy records for the following event;

Ends of three arrows shall be shot at butts not less than 200 paces apart.  Striking the central garland shall be worth 50 points and a hit to the face of the butt worth 5.  An arrow strike through or touching the fabric of the garland shall also be worth 50 points.

Arrows shafts of 3/8ths or thicker are encouraged 'to give great stripe'

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(Left)  A recreated medieval style archery butt by Brian Lee.  (Centre and left) Bbutts can be recreated using straw bales positioned a furlong, or 220 yard, apart.  that's an 1/8 of a mile.