A reminder of the damage inflicted by arrows in battle – and the ingenuity of battlefield surgeons throughout history – is demonstrated by the image above.

Henry Prince of Wales, also known as Prince Hal, was struck in the face by an arrow at the Battle of Shrewsbury on 21 July 1403, at the age of 16.  The Royal Surgeon John Bradmore invented a tool to take the arrow out of the Prince’s cheek without causing further damage, as the arrow was lodged six inches deep in Henry’s cheek.  The tool was designed to fit into the open socket of the arrowhead and expand to grip it, enabling the arrowhead to be pulled out.  Prince Hal survived the procedure and became King Henry V in 1413.

Replica created by Kevin Goodman whose website may be found at: https://bowsbladesandbattles.tripod.com/