A CHANCE to learn an ancient art of warfare that helped defeat the French at the Battle Of Agincourt is on offer next month.

Budding bowmen and women can learn the history of archery as well as firing a few arrows themselves at Worcestershire County Council's County Museum, in Hartlebury, near Stourport, on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2.

The March Hares Field Archery Club will be on hand to teach people at the museum's medieval Old Moat Coppice.

There will also be a procession showing archery through the ages, a display by The Guild of Model Wheelwrights and demonstrations of bows from the prehistoric

period to modern competitions.

The bow and quiver have played a large part in British history, from Henry V's defeat of the French in the 15th Century to a certain two-fingered salute - originally a defiant display of the digits used to pull back the bowstring.

Archery is also the source of surnames like Bowyer and Fletcher.