Jackpot Question No. 1

[Derrick Stephenson]

In the 13 and 1400's A.D., a SPECIFIC weapon became the scourge of Europe.

1) What was it?
2) In general, why were they so successful?
3) What simple ploy helped them to win major battles, one in particular?
4) What was the normal minimum punishment for a captured user?
5) Why was it so unpopular with the civilian population of its home country?

That's it People, before posting any answers, please recheck the rules in the Open Forum, particularly re. payment - do NOT credit any Milcreds to me!!!
Best of luck.
Derrick.

[HighlandSniper58]

OK Derrick, in for a penny, in for a pound...........or whatrever that is in Milcreds.

Here goes.................

1. The English Longbow

2. Because of it's extreme range, penetrative power and low cost.

3. At Agincourt in particular, British archers were able to hold a defensive line whilst also taking offensive action against french mounted knights and armoured men from considerable distance <300m and more.

4. Amputation of the first two digits of the right hand. Hence the derisive gesticulation of sticking up stwo fingers in insult, or to show "I've still got mine".
5. Because of the large amount of time compulsorily spent in practice - every Sunday afternoon.

[Drone_pilot]

5) because of the Duty on imported wine to pay for the staves used to make the bow's

[Derrick Stephenson]

Highland Sniper, partially correct.
Drone_Pilot, you must answer all parts of the question.
Derrick.

[Bombardier]

1/ The Longbow
2/Longer range
3/ Firing the older bows first (shorter range) then firing the longbows
4/ cutting off of first two fingers
5/Time ordered to practice (everyone who earned 2-5 pounds per year had to be armed with bows)

[Derrick Stephenson]

Bombardier, you are partially correct.
Derrick.

[HighlandSniper58]

1. The English Longbow

2. Because of it's extreme range, penetrative power and low cost. British archers were able to hold a defensive line whilst also taking offensive action against french mounted knights and armoured men from considerable distance <300m and more.

3. At Agincourt in particular, British archers formed a solid defensive line by setting up an impenetrable barrier of sharpened staked though which the heavily aromured Fench cavaly could not pass. In many cases the French were stopped in their tracks well before the British line.

4. Amputation of the first two digits of the right hand. Hence the derisive gesticulation of sticking up stwo fingers in insult, or to show "I've still got mine".
5. Because of the large amount of time compulsorily spent in practice - every Sunday afternoon.

[Bombardier]

prize update. 180 milcreds in the pot

[HighlandSniper58]

N.B. My second entry (above) - answer 3 should read Stakes, not staked.

Bombardier - can we please have the edit facility enabled in this section, it's a real pain not being able to correct an error.

[Derrick Stephenson]

Sorry Highland Sniper, same as before.
Derrick.

[Bombardier]

Bombardier - can we please have the edit facility enabled in this section, it's a real pain not being able to correct an error.

Tis done buddy :cool:

[HighlandSniper58]

1. The English Longbow

2. Because of it's extreme range, penetrative power and low cost. British archers were able to fire extemely quickly getting off several arrows per minute thus sending a huge killing cloud toward the enemy.

3. At Agincourt in particular, British archers formed a solid defensive line by setting up an impenetrable barrier of sharpened staked though which the heavily aromured Fench cavaly could not pass. In many cases the French were stopped in their tracks well before the British line. The very presence of British Archers was a deterrent in itself, such was their killing power.

4. Amputation of the first two digits of the right hand. Hence the derisive gesticulation of sticking up stwo fingers in insult, or to show "I've still got mine".
5. Because of the large amount of time compulsorily spent in practice - every Sunday afternoon.

[Derrick Stephenson]

Highland Sniper, again I'm sorry, but you are only partially correct.
Derrick.

[Bombardier]

1/ The Longbow
2/ They could fire more arrows in a shorter period of time
3/ defensive line of sharpened stakes
4/ cutting off of first two fingers
5/Time ordered to practice (everyone who earned 2-5 pounds per year had to be armed with bows)

[Derrick Stephenson]

Bombardier, you are partially correct, Sorry.
Derrick.

[Bombardier]

prize update 240 milcreds in the pot :shock:

[Derrick Stephenson]

Can I enter now :evil: :evil: :D :D
Derrick.

[Bombardier]

nope! :shock:

[Bombardier]

1/ The Longbow
2/ They could fire more arrows in a shorter period of time
3/ The archers advanced first and took the first shots, luring the enemy to advance first and thus into the trap
4/ cutting off of first two fingers
5/Time ordered to practice (everyone who earned 2-5 pounds per year had to be armed with bows)

[Derrick Stephenson]

No Bombardier, you are still partially correct.
Derrick. (I wish there was an emoticon with his tongue stuck out. :D)

[HighlandSniper58]

1. The English Longbow

2. Because of it's extreme range, penetrative power and low cost. British archers were able to hold a defensive line whilst also taking offensive action against french mounted knights and armoured men from considerable distance <300m and more.

3. British often pre-postitioned huge stocks of bundled arrow thus enabling their archers to keep up huge rates of fire for a long period of time.

4. Amputation of the first two digits of the right hand. Hence the derisive gesticulation of sticking up stwo fingers in insult, or to show "I've still got mine".
5. Because of the large amount of time compulsorily spent in practice - every Sunday afternoon.

[Bombardier]

(I wish there was an emoticon with his tongue stuck out. )

how about these derrick tng1; tng2; blah,

[Derrick Stephenson]

Bombardier, Love 'em, love 'em, where they from?
Derrick.

[Bombardier]

If you click view more emoticons on the left, a panel will open up with loads of emoticons including these. :mrgreen:

[Derrick Stephenson]

Rob, sorry Mate, partially correct.
Derrick.

[HighlandSniper58]

Final attempt!

1. The English Longbow

2. Because of it's extreme range, penetrative power and low cost. British archers were able to hold a defensive line whilst also taking offensive action against french mounted knights and armoured men from considerable distance <300m and more.

3. At Crecy in 1346 it was proved beyond doubt that a mixture of archers and dismounted men could esily defeat heavily armoured cavaly - something previously thought impossible.

4. Amputation of the first two digits of the right hand. Hence the derisive gesticulation of sticking up stwo fingers in insult, or to show "I've still got mine".
5. Because of the large amount of time compulsorily spent in practice - every Sunday afternoon.

[Derrick Stephenson]

It doesn't 'til it's won.
Don't give up Mate. Think!!!!
Derrick.

[HighlandSniper58]

No, that's it - too difficult for me :(

[Derrick Stephenson]

Rob, I'm not joking, you will kick yourself!!
It's only been on 1/2 a day.
The Jackpot has to be difficult, or there's no point.
Derrick

[Bombardier]

1/ The Longbow
2/ They could fire more arrows in a shorter period of time
3/ The archers shot the horses
4/ cutting off of first two fingers
5/Time ordered to practice (everyone who earned 2-5 pounds per year had to be armed with bows)

[HighlandSniper58]

Rob, I'm not joking, you will kick yourself!!
It's only been on 1/2 a day.
The Jackpot has to be difficult, or there's no point.
Derrick

Still thinking.............maybe I'll dream the answer. laugh;

[Derrick Stephenson]

Bombardier, you asked for it. blah, :D :D
Derrick.

[HighlandSniper58]

OK - been thinking - not slleping.........

1. The English Longbow

2. Because of it's extreme range, penetrative power and low cost. British archers were able to hold a defensive line whilst also taking offensive action against french mounted knights and armoured men from considerable distance <300m and more. Their rate of firing was also superior to the crossbow.

3. The longbow was vulnerable to wet weather which affected the bowstrings - this was the case at Crecy in 1346 - the bowmen used to de-string their bows and keep their strings dry inside their clothing, no re-stringing the bows until the last mnute, thus retaining their devastating effectiveness.

4. Amputation of the first two digits of the right hand. Hence the derisive gesticulation of sticking up stwo fingers in insult, or to show "I've still got mine".
5. Because of the large amount of time compulsorily spent in practice - every Sunday afternoon.

[Derrick Stephenson]

We have a winner.
It didn't last as long as I hoped.
Well done Highland Sniper.
Pay the Man the money Mabel, he deserves it. ( You probably don't know what I'm on about, but People my age will).
Bombardier, pay to Highland Sniper the spoils of war.
Derrick.

[HighlandSniper58]

roc;

Well Derrick - to say that you kept my mind on overtime this evening was putting it mildly. I really had given up when I remembered the rain at Crecy from my deep and dark schooldays al of those years ago. Until then I was so convinced you had to be on about Agincourt.

Many thanks for a great contest.

:D

[Derrick Stephenson]

People, that was a close thing.
Bombardier, you nearly had us all counting flying pigs and swallows.
Well done to both of you.
Back to the drawing board for No.2, if you think it worthwhile?
Derrick.

[HighlandSniper58]

Go for it Derrick. bou;

[Bombardier]

I must admit, I was thinking Agincourt all along, sneaky me Derrick.
Well I calculate the "spoils of war" to be 340 milcreds, so here ya go buddy. CHERCHING!!!!!!!!!.
Well done :mrgreen:

[HighlandSniper58]

Many thanks - now what to spend it on - any new stock in the shop?

[Bombardier]

I will sort some out today, any suggestions?

[HighlandSniper58]

Aircraft, smallarms - icons like that.

[Bombardier]

I have just added 4, take a look at my 3 displayed theres also crossed cavalry swords. More to come.... :D