Requirements for Masterpiece Assessment

The Craft Guild is based upon the City Guilds of old, which maintained the quality of the work their members produced. In line with the ancient practice, therefore, potential members present a masterpiece which is scrutinised by the Masters of the Guild, who decide if the work warrants an invitation to join them. Below are the requirements for each craft, and what the examiners will be looking for.

If you have any questions about any aspect please contact our Liaison Officer for help or clarification. David Moss, [email protected]

Those accepted for direct entry without apprenticeship may show whatever additional archery items they wish as evidence of their skill, but these must be displayed separately from the required presentation pieces.

Applicants may not present in more than two categories in one year

NOTE: It is expected that the applicant will present the best possible work of which he/she is capable, bearing in mind that this is their MASTER piece

Table of Contents

1. TARGET (RECREATIONAL) LONGBOW.

Requirements (set piece) for those presenting Target longbows as their Masterpiece for acceptance to the Craft Guild.

  1. Two bows should be presented. These should be English type target/clout bows made to British Long-Bow Society criteria i.e. with handle riser and two working limbs, and no more than 70lbs draw weight

Bow A should be of three laminations (i.e. back, belly and core) with the core lamination being tapered

Bow B should be a self-bow.

Both bows should have full horn nocks, a handle covering and an arrow plate. Each should also carry a good quality Flemish laid-in single loop string and have a waterproof finish.

One of the bows must adhere precisely to the specification provided by the Guild’s Liaison Officer, to prove your ability to meet a customer’s exact requirements.

The other one may be either for a lady or a gentleman and should have its draw-weight clearly marked.

Also required:

  1. Glued samples of both V and Z joints to show competence.
  2. An example of a bloom repair - either on a bow or as a sample
  3. An example of a bow or a limb which has been repaired by the applicant, or a sample of scarfing.

Correct at Nov 2023

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR EXAMINATION OF TARGET (RECREATIONAL) LONGBOW
Points which the assessors will be looking for when you present your Masterpiece.

BOW LIMBS:

HANDLE:

HORN NOCKS:

ARROW PLATE:

STRING:

BRACED BOW:

Correct at Nov 2023

1A. PRIMITIVE BOWS

Requirements (set piece) for those presenting Primitive Bows as their Masterpiece for acceptance to the Craft Guild.

Two bows must be selected and presented by the applicant.

Bow types to choose from are:- Meare Heath, Holmegaard, Mollegabet, Hedeby, pyramid flatbow, (dimensions will be supplied to work from).

Bow A should be a self-bow (non-billeted) of: Yew, Laburnum, Ash, Elm, Hazel or another indigenous wood (Including European timber) Wood used must be split from the log.

Bow B should be laminated, between 2 and 4 laminates, bamboo and exotic woods allowed. Up to 4 laminates, one of which must be tapered.

The requirements for both bows are as follows :-

GUIDANCE NOTES ON EXAMINATION OF PRIMITIVE BOWS.
Points which the assessors will be looking for when you present your Masterpiece.

BOW LIMBS:

NOCKS:

STRING:

BRACED BOW:

Advisory points: The following of knots and grain will be seen as proof of good workmanship and skill, as will reduction of sap wood on the yew bow. The whitewood bow may have the outer annual ring as its back.

It is expected that you will present the best possible work of which you are capable, bearing in mind that this is your MASTER piece.

If you have any questions about any aspect please contact our Liaison Officer for help or clarification. David Moss, [email protected]

Correct at Nov 2023

1B. WAR BOW

Requirements (set piece) for those presenting War Bows as their Masterpiece for acceptance to the Craft Guild.

Two self-bows (non-billeted) must be presented.

Bow A should be of yew

Bow B should be of Laburnum, Ash, Elm, Hazel or another indigenous wood suitable for the purpose of a military bow.

The requirements for both bows are as follows:

A ‘D’ section need not be strictly adhered to as yew in particular varies in sap/heart ratio, and white woods perform better with a flatter section. However, a 5/8th depth to width ratio is specified in order to quantify the parameters to which the candidate must work.

Examples (either on a bow or as samples) of a bloom, scarfing or a replacement limb shall be submitted as evidence of competency in carrying out repairs

Advisory points: The following of knots and grain will be seen as proof of good workmanship and skill, as will reduction of sap wood on the yew bow. The whitewood bow may have the outer annual ring as its back.

It is expected that you will present the best possible work of which you are capable, bearing in mind that this is your MASTER piece.

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR EXAMINATION OF WAR BOW
These are the points which the assessors will be looking for when you present your Masterpiece.

BOW LIMBS:

The skill of heat belly tempering on a whitewood bow (if performed) will be an assessable element.

HORN SIDE NOCKS:

STRING:

BRACED BOW:

Is the bow fit for purpose? Is the bow capable of shooting a Standard Arrow of 31½ inches, as supplied by the Guild, and attaining at least 11 score yards?

Note: The applicant may shoot the bow themselves or nominate someone to do this for them – either bow may be chosen for this.

Correct at Nov 2023

2. TARGET/CLOUT ARROWS

Requirements (set piece) for those presenting target/clout arrows as their Masterpiece for acceptance to the Craft Guild.

  1. One boxed set of six two-point footed target arrows, matched for weight and spine.
    They should be fully fletched with hand cut and ground feathers.
    They should have piles, full horn wedge nocks and be crested and varnished.
  2. One boxed set of six footed clout arrows, matched, fletched and crested as above.
    [Both sets may be housed in the same box, which need not be made by the applicant]
    One of the sets above must made to the precise specifications provided by the Guild’s Liaison Officer, to prove your ability to meet a customer’s exact requirements.
  3. One sample each of parallel, barrelled, chested and bobtailed profiles.
    [These may be un-fletched shafts, with any type of nock, and with a cone to receive the pile]
  4. One sample of four-point footing

All arrows must be hand made from the plank. Bought-in dowels are not acceptable.

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR EXAMINATION OF ARROWS
These are the points which the assessors will be looking for when you present your Masterpiece.

UNIFORMITY: Weight, spine and balance should be the same throughout each set.

STRAIGHTNESS: Within acceptable tolerances.

PILES: All on straight & secure. Neat, clean & polished. No evident shoulder between pile & shaft.

FOOTINGS: All the same length from pile to start of wings within a set. Wings all the same length and width and with smooth edges.

STELE: Good grain choice and uniformity. Clear varnishing with no sags or runs.

NOCKS: Length, depth and width of string groove all the same. Radius at bottom of grooves to be the same. String groove at 90° to the grain.

FLETCHINGS: All the same size & shape, ground down to the same depth. Al! glued around the shaft at the same distance from the base of the nock, and spaced equidistantly around the shaft. Leading edges to be neat and secure.

CRESTINGS: Neat & uniform. All the same length, each colour the same width, all matched when placed together.

PRESENTATION: Neat, secure box with good protection for each arrow is requested. NB This box need not be made by the applicant, unless they wish to do so, as it will not be assessed or marked.

Correct at Nov 2023

2A. Historic arrows

Requirements (set piece) for those presenting historic arrows as their Masterpiece for acceptance to the Guild.

  1. One boxed set of six roving arrows, made for a 31” draw-length and with a constantly tapered shaft from 3/8” to 11/32” All arrows matched for weight and spine.
    They should be fletched with hand cut and ground 6” feathers (any of the five shapes used for the standard arrow are acceptable) and whipped on at least 6 turns per inch with linen or similar thread.
    They should be armed with 3/8” heads at the shoulder, and should have horn inserts at the nocks. Oil finish.
  2. One repaired roving arrow using a 2 two point footing, the footing can be the same timber or any exotic hardwood.

    All arrows may be housed in the same box, which need not be made by the applicant.
  3. Two Luttrell Psalter style blunt arrows one with spike one without.
  4. One Hunting arrow.
  5. Five Mary Rose profiled shaft.
    i.e. One example each of:
    Parallel, Bobtailed, Barrelled, Breasted, Saddled.
    These may be un-fletched shafts, but with a 2” sliver of horn to reinforce the nock, and with a cone to receive the head.
  6. One museum quality approximation of Mary Rose arrow AZ472/19
  7. One complete (heavy) ‘Standard’ Arrow made to the larger parameters (specifications supplied).

A work journal must also be presented documenting, with images and text, your making process and rationale for all items of your presentation.

Correct at March 2023

GUIDANCE NOTES FOR EXAMINATION OF HISTORIC ARROWS

Points which the assessors will be looking for when you present.

UNIFORMITY: Weight, spine and balance should be the same throughout each set a) weight within 10 grains. b) Spine within 2 lbs. c) Balance within ¼”

STRAIGHTNESS: All arrows and shafts to be within acceptable tolerances

PILES: All on straight & secure. Neat, clean & polished. No evident shoulder between pile & shaft

FOOTINGS: Wings all the same length and width. with smooth edges.

STELE: Good grain choice and uniformity. Oil finish.

NOCKS: Length, depth and width of string groove all the same. Radius at bottom of grooves to be the same. String groove at 90 ° to the grain.

FLETCHINGS: All the same size & shape, ground down to the same depth. All glued around the shaft at the same distance from the base of the nook, and spaced equidistantly around the shaft. Leading edges to be neat and secure.

It is expected that you will present the best possible work of which you are capable, bearing in mind that this is your MASTER piece.

PRESENTATION: Neat, secure box with good protection for each arrow is requested. NB This box need not be made by the applicant, unless they wish to do so, as it will not be assessed or marked.

It is expected that you will present the best possible work of which you are capable, bearing in mind that this is your MASTER piece.

If you have any queries on any point please contact our Liaison Officer: David Moss. 01226 785838

Correct at March 2023

3. Bow-strings

Requirements (set piece) for those presenting Bow strings as their Masterpiece for acceptance to the Craft Guild

  1. One laid-in string made from a hook or post, using the skein cut only at the bottom. The serving to be in the correct place and neatly finished. Commercial material acceptable.
  2. One laid-in string made using the cut method (i.e. cut at each end) on a string board. Commercial material acceptable.
  3. One laid-in double loop string made on the same board. Commercial material acceptable.
  4. One string made using the continuous loop method, with served end loops and centre. Commercial material acceptable
  5. One string made using any of the above methods, from fibres spun by the applicant. This string to be finished with pearl glue rather than waxed.
  6. Samples of flax, silk, hemp and nettle thread which demonstrate an understanding of and an ability to spin all of these. A few yards of each will suffice.

Correct at July 2010

4. Arrowheads

Requirements (set piece) for those presenting Arrowheads as their Masterpiece for acceptance to the Craft Guild.

  1. Two wrought iron London Museum type 15 swallowtail heads, one to be left as from the anvil prior to grinding to shape, the other to be ground and finished.
  2. A finished set of six wrought iron London Museum type 16 heads with the sockets fire welded to the blades.
  3. One tanged war head that is a copy of a proven original.
  4. One socketed war bodkin which is a copy of a proven original.

The applicants must also:

Correct at July 2010