Standards - The Archer

Dominic Mancini wrote this about the archers in Richard III army in 1483 as they arrived at London:

"There are hardly any without a helmet, and none without bow and arrows; their bows and arrows are thicker and longer than those used by other nations, just as their bodies are stronger than other peoples’, for they seem to have hands and arms of iron. The range of their bows is no less than that of out arbalests (crossbows); there hangs by the side of each a sword no less long than ours, but heavy and thick as well. The sword is always accompanied by an iron shield… They do not wear any metal armour on their breast nor any other part of their body, except for the better sort who have breastplates and suits of armor. Indeed, the common soldiery have more comfortable tunics that reach down below the loins and are stuffed with tow or some other material. They say that the softer the tunic the better do they withstand the blows of arrows and swords, and besides that in summer they are lighter and in the winter they are more serviceable than iron."

Richard's archers wore stuffed jacks, most had helmets, and all had a sword and buckler. Based on that Lord Grey's Retinue archers should have the following:

Clothing:

• Shirt and Braies (A set for each day of an event is recommended)
• Doublet (A summer and a winter weight wool doublet is recommended)
• Hosen
• Points
• Acorn hat
• Gown - For civilian wear (A summer and a winter weight gown doublet is recommended)
• Livery Coat
• Belt with brass hardware
• Shoes or low boots
• Kidney pouch or draw string purse (optional)

Winter Clothing Options:

Optional list to help in cold weather.

• Hood - A small slip on hood closed in the front with no liripipe or dags
• Gloves - Mittens or three-fingered styled gloves in leather or wool. Fur lining optional.

Arms and Armor:

• Longbow - Yew or Ash
• Arrows - Broadhead tips 28 to 32 inch shafts in ash, poplar, birch, or willow with white or light gray fletching.
• Falchion or short sword
• Buckler made of metal
• A bullocks dagger or roundel dagger - short or long blade - (optional)
• Jack, Brigandine, or maille shirt - Also a maille shirt under a jack or brigandine.
• Standard (maille collar)
• Helmet; an open face sallet - (optional)
• Grease horn; used to hold grease for the bow string - (optional)
• Leather or horn bracer - (optional)

Bedding (optional):

• A bed sack or tick mattress - basically a linen sack to be stuffed with leaves or hay.
• Wool blanket

Eating Gear (optional, the group has extra):

• Pewter trencher
• Pewter bowl
• Pewter beaker
• Knife

Nice extras:

• Period coins
• Gambling items - knucklebones, dice, cards
• Paternoster also known as a Rosary