Quiver

A quiver is a special container used for holding arrows or bolts. Archers, people who use bows and arrows, carry quivers to keep their arrows organized and easy to reach. Quivers can be worn on an archer's body, attached to the bow, or even placed on the ground, depending on what works best for the archer and the type of shooting they are doing.

Three quivers

In the past, quivers were often made from natural materials like leather, wood, and furs. These materials were chosen because they were strong and could be shaped to fit well. Today, quivers are usually made from modern materials such as metal or plastic, which make them durable and easy to clean.

Quivers have been important for archers throughout history, helping them carry many arrows in a compact way. Whether made from leather or plastic, a quiver is a key part of an archer’s equipment, making it easier to shoot accurately and efficiently.

Etymology

The word quiver comes from old French. Back then, people wrote it as quivre, cuevre, or coivre.

Types

Belt quiver

The most common type of quiver is a flat or round container that hangs from a belt. People in many places, from North America to China, have used this kind of quiver. There are many ways to carry it, such as on the side of the body or on the back. Some quivers cover almost the whole arrow, while others are very small and only hold a few arrows. The Bayeux Tapestry shows that most bowmen in medieval Europe used belt quivers.

Back quiver

Back quivers are tied to the archer's back with leather straps. The ends of the arrows stick out above the shoulder, making it easy to grab them quickly. This style was used by native peoples of North America and in Africa, and was also shown in ancient Assyria. They were used in Ancient Greece and often appear in statues of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. Even though movies and art often show medieval European characters like Robin Hood with this type of quiver, it was not commonly used in medieval Europe.

Ground quiver

A ground quiver is used when an archer is shooting from one spot. It can be as simple as a stick in the ground with a ring to hold the arrows, or more complex designs that keep the arrows close by without the archer having to bend down.

Bow quiver

A newer idea, the bow quiver attaches to the bow itself and holds the arrows in place with a clip. Hunters who use compound bow like this because it lets them carry everything in one piece without carrying extra gear on their body.

Arrow bag

Used by medieval English longbowmen and other cultures, an arrow bag is a simple cloth sack with a drawstring. A leather piece at the top keeps the arrows separated. The drawstring could be closed to keep the arrows dry and clean. Some had straps for carrying, but many were kept in a belt or on the ground before a battle to make it easier to reach the arrows.