FANTASY RE-ARMED - the medieval LONGBOW: can you use a shield with it or as a melee weapon?

In this episode of Fantasy Re-armed we take a look a few different ways the warbow and medieval archery could be adapted into fantasy, could you use a shield with one, or use the bow itself as an effective melee weapon?

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[JumblyJumble]

This is clearly not factual. If you can't carry 37 long-swords and fire your bow, you need to increase your inventory management skill.

[RainMakeR_Workshop]

I. Like. Big. Shields and I can not lie.
You other Bothers-in-Arms can’t deny.
When a knight walks in with an itty bitty waist and a kite shield in your face. You get Armed.
.
Shady Got Back.
Lol, couldn’t resist when he said “I like big shields and I’m not gonna lie”

[raicattivo]

The back scabbard the gift that keeps on giving

[Xentillus]

If an unstrung bow is like a stick, Shad has now confirmed that a bow is a sword-like weapon.

[ZenithArt]

Shad, your energy levels in this vid are 1000%! And it's great to see man! You seem lighter, brighter, stronger and all-round healthier. I'm glad some of the issues you've dealt with for so long are being overcome. You should be so proud.

[anon]

When you had this idea of a weapon but you where 99% sure it would be a horrid idea and then shad comes along and makes a video

[benrex]

Shad is like the typical movie hero. Fully armed and no helmet.

[egrif]

1 year later, fully plate armoured Shad muffled through bascinet ventilation holes: "Greetings, I am Shad, and in this video... "

[e]

7:17 every fantasy game ever:
*picks up armor off a guy half his size
*fits perfectly!

[wolvez]

The way his voice raised a little bit when he mentioned he had slimmed down a bit and it was "pretty cool" was super wholesome.

[numbersto]

Everybody:
Shad: Look, I've invented the Spow!
Me: Can't wait to see the CrossBaxe.

[Falcon.]

I'm really happy I'm not the only one who tells my stuff to "stay" and if I don't it seems to always fall over

[shadfacts]

Shad Fact: Shad regularly trains his biceps with hammer curls. His "hammers" just tend to weigh about 1 solar mass each.

[andrewchapman]

Poor Sean Bean, can't even survive an episode of Shadiversity without dying tragically.

[JustARandomMexican]

As a LARP/battle-game archer, it was really cool watching you come to the same conclusions that I naturally came to through actually fighting with a bow in close-quarters situations.

Ideas from this video I can back-up: I use a very small rectangular strap targe on my (left) bow arm (small shield > no shield). The outer strap hooks under my thumb as you described. I always rest my arrows on the right side (away from the shield). I keep my back-up sword on my back and it's one-handed so I don't have to drop my bow to fight melee (fun note bow + shield both in one hand can block A LOT of attacks; good way to break your bow though and we simulate that in game). With a good sheath and practice, you can almost always draw your sword to threaten a melee attacker after missing your arrow.

From your other videos: Adding a decent pauldron on your upper shield arm turns that entire arm into a wall of defense to block with (I have a leather one myself). Additionally, resting an arrow on the outside of the bow is almost always faster and speed is invaluable.

But my opinion on the best way to use a bow in actual melee combat? Toss it at your opponent to tangle them up while you ready your sword (that's a bit hardcore for LARP though).

[PresidentOfBepis]

Everybody laughing until the bowmen fix bayonets and charge

[austincummins]

I do not apologize for this, and I blame Shad for it....
"And when an Earl walks in with an itty-bitty mace
and a round targe in your face
You feel strong, want to hold it out front
with your hand in that center boss stuffed!
Gleam in the greaves he's wearing-
I'm hooked and I can't stop staring
Your majesty, I want to pledge fealty
and bear your standard
My squire tried to warn me,
but that rotella you got makes (me win the tourney)
All oak and steel skin,
but you say you want a sword for two hands?
Well, no need, you'll see..
'Cause I ain't that average rouncey
I've seen him joustin'
To hell with yo lancin'
Shield's thick, flat,
Blockin' blows like a granite slab
I'm tired of noble decrees
Sayin' bucklers are the thing
Take the average man-at-arms and ask him that
He gotta pack that pavice..."

[sayich]

Now I require a "I like big shields and I cannot lie" shirt.

[thestormcraft]

15:20 the best choice for strapped shields I think would be one of ancient Greek origin their archers which mostly used short bows often had strapped shields the size of a buckler strapped to their forearm while shooting, they also generally carried a xiophos which was a very early gladius.

[d.mat.zero]

"in terms of fantasy it just needs to be plausible" an awesome line Shad