Elizabethan Era Hunting and Weapons

Weapons By the end of the Elizabethan era, the medieval feud system has ended. Nobles were not expected to provide trained soldiers that would fight for the queen and country. The musket has been introduced but traditional medieval weapons are mostly used.

Rapier Light weight and easier to use than the heaver cutting sword Used for fencing Used up to the introduction of the firearm

Weapons from the medieval period

Swords Variety of swords including the rapier, broad sword, and the cutting sword

Battle Axe Single or double handed Were used through the medieval period

Mace Started as a steel ball on a wooden handle Changed to a war club with spikes on it

Lance Long, strong, spear like weapon Designed to be used on horseback

Weapons use by foot soldiers

Basilard Two edged, long bladed dagger

Billhook Capable of killing knights and their horses Pole arm with a wide cutting blade occasionally with spikes and hooks

Caltrop Sharp spike on 12-18 foot pole Used in formation to maim a horse

Crossbow The crossbow range was 350-400 yards Could only be shot at a rate of 2 bolts per minute

Halberd A broad, short axe blade on a 6 foot pole spear point at the top with a back spike

Longbow Could pierce armor at ranges of more than 250 yards Longbow man could release between 10-12 arrows per minute

Pike Long Spear measuring between 18 and 20 feet

Poleaxe Group of pole-mounted weapons Were all variations of poles measuring 6 feet long with different ‘heads’ Spikes, hammers, axe

Spear Used for thrusting

Firearms Introduced around 1520 Commonly used by the end of the 1500’s

Hunting This was a very popular sport enjoyed by the upper classes and nobility. The sport had always been enjoyed by the nobility. It was also used as training for war because of the tracking skills, the use of weapons used, the horsemanship, and the courage that were all required for the sport. It was viewed more as a sport in the Elizabethan era. Both men and women took part in the event. Many of the animals found in England were hunted. There were different types of hunts that were more suited for men than women or the opposite.

“At Force” Hunting It was the most strenuous form of hunting. The hunts were designed for fit, young, and very active men. The hunt was set up into teams. The hunters often used dogs in the hunts. Wild boar were a choice prey for this hunt. The teams would chase the game to the point of near exhaustion or would corner the animal and kill it.

“Bow and Stable” Hunting This type of hunt was less strenuous. The hunts were designed for men or less active, or infirm, men active men. This type of hunt was done on horseback using a bow as the main weapon. Dogs accompanied the hunters so they could drive the prey into a enclosed space where the hunters could kill the animal. Deer were usually the main animal hunted in this type of hunt.

Prey of the Hunt Stag Hunt with the aid of dogs Suitable prey for “Bow and Stable” hunt Use bow and arrows Deer, Hart, Roebuck Usually hunted with the aid of dogs Use bows and arrows Boar Use very long spears in order to stay away from tusks Suitable prey for “At Force" hunt Fox Usually hunted by chasing them with dogs and letting the dogs tear the fox apart. Rarely hunted for food

Prey of the Hunt 2. Rabbits Usually hunted by sending trained dog or ferrets don the burrow Otters Usually hunted with dogs Hunted for sport not food Game Birds Usually hunted with dogs to chase them into taking off then with bow shoot them down Dogs fetch the corpses back Suitable for “Bow and Stable” hunt

Hunting Laws Only monarch or his servants hunted in royal forests. The forests of England were normally owned be the reigning monarch. In Elizabethan times, there were an estimated sixty nine royal forests. Permission to hunt in forests could also be gained by the granting of a royal licence.

Punishment for breaking Elizabethan Hunting Laws The strict Forest Laws reserved rights of hunting to the ruling class were hated and resented by the lower classes. Peasants accused of poaching were liable to hanging, castration, blinding or being sewn into a deerskin and then hunted down by ferocious dogs.

Works Cited http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-hunting.htm http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-weapons.htm Pictures form google.com