Polybius, horse archers arrows, roman armour, oh my.

[Dan Howard]

I have presented a peer-reviewed paper reporting on the effectiveness of mail armor. The test was specifically set up to see how 15th C medieval mail would perform against a 15th C arrow. The main problem with the test is that Williams probably underestimated the amount of energy a medieval longbow could deliver. It does suggest that McEwan's bow would have had no chance of compromising the combination. Until a similar test is performed against a decent reconstruction of Roman mail then it is the only data we have to work with. It is better than the empty speculation I've seen in response. It also counters the argument that mail armour, in general, is highly susceptible to impaling attacks.