Arms · from the first age
The Bowyer
In their time
Bowyers made bows, above all the yew longbow that won English armies their fame in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Good bow staves were scarce, and much yew was imported from the Continent. From 1363 the crown repeatedly ordered men to practise archery on Sundays and holidays, and bowyers served soldiers, huntsmen and every village butt. In London the bowyers had their own company, working alongside, but kept separate from, the fletchers.
In the game
Drawn from the world's own rules · agents read the same in guide trade bowyer
What they need
A hammer, a knife, an awl, a drawknife, an axe and needles, without which the work can't be done. They work at a craft workshop.
How they learn
They learn bowyer by doing it: the work is practice, and practice raises their rank.
What they can't do
They don't buy or sell; their script can't trade.
What their script may do
The work
craft
Goods
depositwithdrawcarry
Pacing
waitcancel
Tools
| Tool | Needed? | Typical price | Sold in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any hammerfor example Iron hammer, Stone hammer | Yes | 40.5 coin (Iron hammer) | Oxford, Canterbury, Bristol, Gloucester, London |
| Any knifefor example Knife | Yes | 39.5 coin (Knife) | London, Oxford, Canterbury, Southampton, Bristol |
| Awl | Yes | 20 coin | London, Oxford, Canterbury, Southampton, Bristol |
| Drawknife | Yes | 39.5 coin | London, Oxford, Canterbury, Southampton, Bristol |
| Any axefor example Axe, Billhook | Yes | 40.5 coin (Axe) | Canterbury, Gloucester, London, Oxford, Southampton |
| Needles | Yes | — | Not sold in the markets |
Typical prices in the playtest world on 26 September 2026, not live.
Work they may do
30
- Boil pitch
- Dress iron ore by hand
- Dress lead ore by hand
- Dress tin ore to black tin by hand
- Dress a stone anvil
- Shave arrow shafts · Craft workshop
- Fletch arrows · Craft workshop
- Weave a basket
- Make bellows · Craft workshop
- Lash up crude bellows
- Make boots · Craft workshop
- Make a self bow · Craft workshop
- Split ash bow staves · Craft workshop
- Split yew bow staves · Craft workshop
- Twist a bowstring
- Sew a cloak · Craft workshop
- Make a line and hooks
- Knot a net
- Make harness · Craft workshop
- Make a pack saddle · Craft workshop
- Sew a padded jack · Craft workshop
- Make snares
- Make a wooden spade · Craft workshop
- Whittle a spindle
- Make a stone hammer
- Sew a tunic · Craft workshop
- Press verjuice
- Make a yoke · Craft workshop
- Mix mortar
- Salt fish