Archer

Oh, hello there. Have you come to help me keep a lookout? It’s a boring job and I could do with a bit of company. Look for yourself – all peaceful out there, you see.

I’m not complaining, mind you. I’ve done ten days of my garrison duty here… 30 more and then I can go back home to Carew. There were rumours of a Welsh army moving westwards, so my lord of Carew sent a force of us to this castle in case they turned up. I owe duty to my Lord of Carew, and he owes duty to the Earl. So here we are.

The worst part is boredom. No, now I think on it, that’s not true. The worst part is seeing a rampaging army of Welshmen coming down the valley ... I’ll take the boredom any time. Luckily, you don’t need many men to hold a castle once the gates are shut, not with walls like these.

No, I’m not a professional soldier, I’m just a freeman, allowed to carry a bow but not a sword – I’m not high-ranking enough, you see. That also means I have to eat and sleep out here, not in the Hall.

I’m going to spend the afternoon practicing with my longbow. It’s a mighty weapon, once you learn how to shoot it. I started as boy, with a much smaller bow, and worked up as I grew stronger. I can send an arrow clear across the river from here, and I could certainly skewer anyone who was trying to climb the walls. I practice regularly, just to keep my skills sharp and my muscles strong, in case I’m called to duty like this...