The Properly Dressed Archer

So far I've told you about  the laws governing archery, and some of the amazing things that archers did with the longbow or from the back of a horse. Today, I'm going to show you what the well-armored archer sported to keep themselves safe from the enemy. Now all that I'm going to show you an archer would have worn atop his tunic, hose, boots, and regular clothing. Layers in medieval warfare equaled protection, and an archer who lost an eye or was wounded in the arm was no good to anyone, except their enemies.

Starting at the top, they usually had an open-faced helmet to protect their head from incoming fire. Yes, the other side usually had archers too,  and then there were catapults to worry, about not to mention falling debris if they were in a building.

For further protection, some archers wore a maile Aventail that attached to the sides and back of their open helmet. This gave their cheeks and neck added defense against arrows and debris that might other wise have injured them. 

Over their torso (that's from just under the neck to just below the hips also referred to as the trunk of a person some times) the archer wore a Padded Gambeson or Aketon . Unlike the flowing garb of lords and knights, an archer always had tight fitting (and sometimes removable) sleeves whether on the battle field or wandering around the Keep. Flowing sleeves wouldn't keep a knight from wielding a sword, but flowing sleeves on an archer's tunic made him worse than useless.

Over the Padded Gambson, if he could afford it, the archer wore one last item, a shirt of small-ringed maile. The smaller the rings of maile, the more expensive the shirt, but also the more protection the archer could get out of it.  Smaller rings = less damage a weapon could do to the one wearing it.









Why all the talk of armor today? Well I wanted to make certain that in praying for Christopher and Wayne, that all of you archers were well covered and protected in the armor we've been given. Here's the armor we have in Christ:

Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. ¹⁶ In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil ¹⁷ Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
 ¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.<sup>"


Now, I don't want you to pray for believers everywhere, that's not what your assignment is today. No, Archers, today, I want you don your armor, the set outlined above, and to fire prayers off not only for Christopher and Wayne but also for each other,  today. 

Had a bad week? Let us know in the comments. Want prayer for something specific? Put it down there in the comments. Whatever you want to share (and you can email me or one another if you don't want to stick it out for all to see) share here, and we will pray for you.


Part of the Roman's fighting style was for in the midst of battle one warrior to wheel around and put his back and shoulders to one of his friends. Fighting that way put someone else's strength where his weakness was, and put his strength where that other person's weakness was.

So trade weakness for strength, and cover one another this day, in prayer.</sup>