Quiver

Lore & Background

Quivers have been made across many cultures from North America to China. The most common style is the belt quiver, a flat or cylindrical container suspended from the belt. Many variations exist, such as being canted forwards or backwards, and being carried on the dominant hand side, off-hand side, or the small of the back. Some variants enclose almost the entire arrow, while minimalist 'pocket quivers' consist of little more than a small stiff pouch that only covers the first few centimeters. The Bayeux Tapestry shows that most bowmen in medieval Europe used belt quivers.

Back quivers are secured to the archer's back by leather straps, with the nock ends protruding above the dominant hand's shoulder. Arrows can be drawn over the shoulder rapidly by the nock. This style was used by native peoples of North America and Africa, and was also commonly depicted in bas-reliefs from ancient Assyria. They were also used in Ancient Greece and often feature on sculptural representations of Artemis, goddess of the hunt. While popular in cinema and 20th century art for depictions of medieval European characters (such as Robin Hood), this style of quiver was rarely used in medieval Europe.

Ground quivers are used for both target shooting or warfare when the archer is shooting from a fixed location. They can be simply stakes in the ground with a ring at the top to hold the arrows, or more elaborate designs that hold the arrows within reach without the archer having to lean down to draw. The bow quiver is a modern invention that attaches directly to the bow's limbs and holds the arrows steady with a clip of some kind. They are popular with compound bow hunters as it allows one piece of equipment to be carried in the field without encumbering the hunter's body. Arrow bags, used by medieval English longbowmen and several other cultures, are simple drawstring cloth sacks with a leather spacer at the top to keep the arrows divided. When not in use, the drawstring could be closed, completely covering the arrows so as to protect them from rain and dirt. Some had straps or rope sewn to them for carrying, but many either were tucked into the belt or set on the ground before battle to allow easier access.

Reader's Guide

The quiver's significance lies in its fundamental role as a portable arrow container, enabling archers to carry ammunition efficiently for hunting, warfare, and target shooting. Its design has evolved across cultures and time periods, reflecting different shooting styles and practical needs. The belt quiver, the most common style, appears in cultures from North America to China and is documented in the Bayeux Tapestry as the standard for medieval European bowmen. The back quiver, though rarely used in medieval Europe, became iconic in cinema and 20th century art for characters like Robin Hood, and was historically used by native peoples of North America and Africa, as well as in ancient Assyria and Greece. The ground quiver served stationary archers, while the modern bow quiver caters to compound bow hunters by attaching directly to the bow. The arrow bag, used by medieval English longbowmen, offered protection from the elements. Japanese quivers, known as yebira and yazutsu, represent distinct designs for Kyudo. The quiver's legacy is one of practical adaptation, from traditional materials like leather, wood, and furs to modern metal and plastic, always serving the archer's need to transport and protect arrows.

Did You Know?

• The English word quiver has its origins in Old French, written as quivre, cuevre, or coivre.
• The bow quiver is a modern invention popular with compound bow hunters.