WAR BOW

WAR BOW

Bowyers fashioned and carved the finest Yew,

From which the deadly bodkin flew.

French Knights in their thousands slew,

By English archers at Agincourt.

The heavy destriers tried to dash,

Across the mud, Henrys line to smash.

Into the storm with flying arrows of ash,

Sent by the English archers at Agincourt.

The war bow had won the day,

The common man now held sway.

A killing machine which made King Charles pay,

Destroyed by the English archers at Agincourt.

Hempen string woven for power,

In thousands could send a hail shower.

French men at arms could only cower,

Under the barrage from the English archers at Agincourt.

Henry V made his ‘Band of Brothers’,

Train at the ‘Butts’, gaining power like no other.

Accuracy which snatched a son from his mother,

The skilful English archer at Agincourt.

The war bow a symbol of the archers might,

The goose feathered darts an awesome sight.

Piercing armour clad warrior and mounted knight.

Slain by the English archer at Agincourt.

Today in churchyards, yews shadows are cast,

Bowyer and Archer are just names from the past.

The war bow its place in history will always last,

Made legend by the English archer at Agincourt.

“We few, we happy few

We band of brothers

He who sheds blood on the field

With me today,

Shall be my brother”

Henry V

Battle of Agincourt 1415.

Phil Hall  March 2103