I have been in a discussion on how arrowheads were made in medieval times
and it had been my understanding that they were not steeled.
However; I was provided the following cite:
Source: Schubert, H.R. 1957: History of the British Iron and Steel Industry
from c.450BC to AD1775. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul
P.117: "The application of steel to missiles first occured in the reign of
Henry III (1216-1272). In 1227 a Royal order was issued to the Sheriff of
Hereford. The quarrels were to be 'winged' with feathers and their heads
pointed with steel."
P.119: "As the [Hundred Years] war procedded, the demand for missiles which
by no means diminished, gave unscrupulous arrowsmiths the opportunity to
produce defective heads. To protect and maintain the quality a Statute was
passed in 1406, decreeing that every head of an arrow or quarrel was to be
hardened at the point with steel and engraved with the mark of the
manufacturer." Statutes, vol. II, P.153. London, 1816
Has this research been superceeded or were they steeling arrowheads at such
an early date?
Thanks in advance;
Thomas Powers
Bit Herder NRAO,
Blacksmith
Socorro, NM
USA
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