Archer shoots bear at Warwick Castle, and other stories

In this video, Archer Shoots Bear and other Warwick Castle stories, long-time archer and history presenter Kevin Hicks shares some personal stories of his time working and interacting with the public at Warwick Castle as the Warwick Bowman.
#Medieval #WarwickCastle #MedievalCastle #Castle #MedievalBowman #bowman, #archer, #history #HistoryChannel
If you'd like to support the channel further on PATREON, and help us continue making fun, fascinating videos, check out our PATREON page: / thehistorysquad
For more personal stories videos check out this playlist: • Personal Stories Playlist
OTHER LINKS:
Website: historysquad.ca
Facebook: / historysquad
Twitter: / history_hicks
IMAGE CREDIT:
Background image Warwick Castle front ©Paul Tomlinson via Flickr
Guys Tower, Warwick Castle ©Irondoors

[@The13thGhostBunny]

The story of the little girl asking to care for your wounded archer bear was adorable. The one about the American asking if there was a first aid station atop the tower made me laugh. I could listen to you tell stories all day.

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, thank you so much. 👍🏻

[@lizchatfield692]

@@thehistorysquad So they where the Clampetts.

[@The_ZeroLine]

American tourists are continually embarrassing the country.

[@eddiesolo1971]

I always knew that Kev the redcap was a big softie at heart. Outstanding stories and story telling Mr Hicks.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Simon, appreciated 👍🏻

[@rockstarJDP]

That story of the teddy bear is just too adorable. Reminds me of the time I worked in a hotel where a family had left in a hurry and the daughter had forgotten her bear and the mother contacted us to ask if we'd found it. Yes, we had, and to cheer her up because she was inconsolable, we sent the mother a bunch of photos of teddy helping us clean the rooms and handle reception to show the daughter that teddy was having an awesome time and doing his bit before we were able to post it back to them.

[@thehistorysquad]

Oh how lovely, people can be so kind 👍🏻

[@rockstarJDP]

@thehistorysquad haha well you remember the (censored) Travelfudge bear came from eh - pretty sure it was us Kev 😄

[@Skorpychan]

Relatedly, my sister once left her bunny behind in the bank. When my parents finally figured out where it had gone, they called the bank in the morning. Turns out, they'd kept it in the night safe.

[@nursetazzi]

I've listened to your personal stories with great interest, from your military and bobby years to your arrow-shootin' years. You have led a rich, full life, Mr. Hicks, and you are definitely leaving your mark on this world. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@thehistorysquad]

I’ve been very lucky and made the most of opportunities when doors closed. 👍

[@markcolyer1989]

I've done the same to blind children at Rochester Castle as King John well done Kevin

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Mark 👍🏻

[@jefftucker201]

I saw you at Wawick many times Mr Hicks and every time affirmed my previous belief that you are indeed a living legend! it was a sad day when we went to Warwick and you were no longer there! Again, you are the reason I started to shoot Longbow and I thank you for the inspiration! Wish I could have shot along side you. Great stories as always! wish you all the very best sir.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hey Jeff, thank you so much!

[@Spendoctor]

I was Kevins apprentice bowman (unofficially) in his shows for a couple of years when I was younger. My mum and dad were the strolling musicians there. Kevin is such an amazing story teller, actor, man, and a beyond superb bowman!

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, thanks very much. I had a couple of apprentices over the years 👍

[@chriscookesuffolk]

Bought a tear to my eye.

[@glennwright9747]

Heart touching

[@Musrusticus-]

‘…Gran’ma will have moved away…’ I love that.

[@fangslaughter1198]

When we were kids we would shoot arrows straight up in an attempt to have them land in the same spot we launched from. Often We couldn’t see when they began to fall. Absolute panic. Lol. Over and over. Boys being boys. Thanks for the stories Kevin.

[@thehistorysquad]

OMG, madness but as you say, boys will be boys. 👍🏻

[@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88]

Why do men die younger than women you ask? Well..... Edit: My father handed me a hand saw and made me cut my bow in half for doing something similar. 😮😂

[@okancanarslan3730]

patched teddy bear on a stretcher and stoned guard with arrows falling around him. Amazing and funny stories. Looking forward for more.

[@michellejnickel]

The grandma story......thats savage and very iconic of her.

[@johnetheridge1235]

As an American I absolutely loved visiting warwick castle. First medieval castle I ever visited. My girlfriend and I took pictures in the pillory that had signs saying drunkard etc. An older british guy walked past and said “must have known you were coming” I died laughing. Awesome place, awesome channel. Cheers from across the sea!

[@thehistorysquad]

Great stuff, thanks for watching John 👍🏻

[@Golo1949]

I went with my then girlfriend to the Castle around 1974, its a great place to visit, I really recommend it to anyone to visit it, although it must be a lot different today.

[@owenshale8719]

Kevin you are a amazing person and you are a thank everything you do

[@buffewo6386]

Clearly, the interior guard had a serious lack of self-preservation instinct. As well as a lack of intelligence. I have had deaf friends, and the ability to help clarify things gas been very satisfying. What you did for that boy just speaks to the type of man you are. You have my respect.

[@MrBottlecapBill]

I would have fired a security guard who is unable to act in a dangerous situation. It kind of goes with the job.😁

[@GingerMole]

The inside guard more than likely went and stood where they fell after they’d landed as a joke

[@marcharrison9847]

Love these warwick castle stories man so local and relevant

[@charlescorris3469]

The interaction with the boy was touching. You were very lucky…

[@wolvojay85]

The story with the young boy was very touching, as a parent myself, we often get comments on our son's good manners and good behaviour when out and about, and it always makes all of our day when we're out to come across a member of staff on-site who is good with children. What a great story.

[@Sgtklark]

I was talking to a park ranger (oddly enough, at Alcatraz) about the Battle of Gettysburg, where she had been previously posted. She was impressed by my knowledge of the battle. She said most people ask, "Why were all these battles fought at National Historic sites?"

[@setyourhandel340]

That's a good one.... National Parks.

[@thehistorysquad]

Oh my, I can believe it. 👍🏻

[@THCGreywolf]

God love you for the last story. What a fantastic man you are.

[@nottiification]

Lovely stories. Hats off to Archer Teddy wherever he is.

[@janetbowersox83]

What amazing stories! The bear and the blind boy were the best. What a lovely thing for the reenactors to do with the bear and so kind of you to let the little girl take care of it. How very compassionate of you to let the boy feel your weapons. Your channel never ceases to amaze me! Thank you!

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Janet 👍🏻

[@janetbowersox83]

Were you able to get Townsends catalog for regalia?

[@thehistorysquad]

yes, I did take a look online and I've made a note of the website for when the time comes I need something from them. 👍🏻@@janetbowersox83

[@Sattva468]

You’re a great storyteller.

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

Wow, Our Father did not want him to die of the body yet. Great stories, thanks for sharing Kevin. Shalom ❤️‍🔥

[@fredsimmons2793]

It's a privilege to hear the stories that has set you apart from most,Kevin.

[@carolynwatson4301]

Very sweet story. When I was about 14 years old there was a snowstorm . The storm stopped and the moon was out. My nephew was excited to go deer hunting with my brothers the next day. He was pretending to be hunting deer. The rest of us were playing hide and seek. So I headed to the back of the property. I walked down the stone wall down by the old barn. I was hiding behind the wall. I could hear them running through the snow. I heard something walking up behind me. I turned around thinking I had been caught. There standing clos enough to touch was a massive buck. I didn't move as deer can hurt you. He stood watching me and I stood watching him. In the moonlight in the snow it was pure magic. He heard the other kids and ran off. I watched him go. Of course, I got caught but it didn't matter because I had been given something special for Christmas.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, what a golden moment! Beautiful 👍🏻

[@amazinggrace5692]

My daughter was severely blind and we went with our local group to visit the Liberty Bell in Philly and even got to touch it. A real treat.

[@michealgillman7418]

Wow...the last won about the little blind boy did it! 😢 thanks Kev, great to see you again. Regards Mick

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Mick, that one took several takes to keep it together 👍🏻

[@owen1079]

Randomly stumbled across your channel today & have been enjoying your work now for 6hrs straight! One of the best (& definitely the most fun) history channels I've seen yet. Your videos deserve millions of views & I only wish I'd have found your channel sooner! Thanks for all your hard work.

[@lightingkeys]

That last story got me that's definitely a heart warming encounter ❤

[@keithv708]

Same

[@epicridesandtours]

Thanks for the laughs. It seems everyone (including me) has a funny story about Americans. But honestly, most of the ones I've met would give a stranger the shirt off his back. It's like generosity is built in.

[@consl]

"And to make him go bang, a piece of bourning match cord is fastened in".... Kevin is a legend. He made me revisit Empire Total War several times as I watched his flint lock videos yeeeeears ago.

[@thehistorysquad]

😂

[@jesselehmann1643]

Some of your stories are grim, some of your stories are informative, some of your stories are beyond touching the heart. You are a legend Kevin. Keep up the extraordinary work sir. Much love from New York.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, thank you!

[@EverythingNuclear]

I went to Warwick Castle so many times as a child, its strange to think but I MUST have seen you there at some point. Its strange how 10-15 years later I randomly find you on the Internet. Small world.

[@aeternitasromae]

I came to Warwick castle when I was maybe 4 years old or so, around the mid 2000's maybe. Its one of my earliest memories, and I remember it very fondly, it felt so huge and magical. Its probably one of the main reasons I love the Medieval so much. I remember watching the archery show as well as falconry and the trebuchet. I came across your channel recently and I knew I recognised you from somewhere. I think we interacted or spoke in some way (as much as a young kid can anyway!). So thank you very much for that, you're part of the reason for my biggest passion. I'm sure you inspired hundreds or thousands of other children in your time.

[@thehistorysquad]

How lovely, it's been my pleasure. Thank you.

[@mikecaine3643]

I did enjoy that - it was really nice.Thank You .

[@andrewschmidt5312]

Between the history, your archery skills, and your tales from all your life experience, you have at least three amazing books in your head. I would be proud to add them to my library if they are ever written. I really enjoyed the Clampett story. If I could only win the lottery….

[@thehistorysquad]

That's kind Andrew, thank you. But I hope to beat you to the lottery 😜

[@Jason-hk9dq]

Great stories, I love it. I can just imagine that security guard surrounded by arrows, I'd probably have froze too, lol.

[@jayhaack2883]

Love the personal touches in your stories!

[@Plazmapants188]

Great to hear these story's, thanks for sharing 😊

[@thehistorysquad]

You're most welcome, thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@thedolt9215]

Love the first person stuff, Kevin… Please keep it up!

[@magnushorus5670]

These stories are a gift. Thank you for telling them!

Kevin, you are a treasure. Keep doing what you are doing. I’ve even seen people promote you in the table top rpg world. We love you and your stories.

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, that's great to hear, thanks so much!

[@knowyourrights9793]

You can believe how happy I was to see that the new upload is a video of Kevin Telling Stories from his Life! Out of ALL of the Truly Amazing "Films" Kevin uploads These Are Always The Best!!

[@thehistorysquad]

That's so kind of you, thanks 👍🏻

[@ebmus9781]

Thank you for sharing your stories!

[@oberstul1941]

Those are some great stories, sir. Ranging from crazily lucky to simply tugging on my heart strings. Thank you for sharing. Cheers!

[@lizgallucci8894]

I have seen your shows before, thank you. Warwick castle has been my favourite all my life. We have just moved to Northumberland now so time to discover some more fabulous castles.

[@sheo720]

Kevin, I watched a few of your videos and it suddenly hit me that you used to come to school and give talks on historical topics in costume. The last time I saw you was about 16 years ago, and I still remember it all fondly to this day!

[@thehistorysquad]

Oh, that's lovely, which school did you go to?

[@MichaelSmith-mc8bd]

Fabulous stories Kevin. The Clampitts made me laugh, the young boy brought a tear to my eyes. . Well done sir! Love hearing from your channel.

[@phillipallen3259]

Wonderful as always Kevin!

[@dmcarpenter2470]

Kevin: Thank you for the collection of stories. Those of us, who spend decades, working with John Q Public, at historic sites, gather these tales. Always a pleasure to hear from another, as well.

[@thehistorysquad]

Absolutely 👍🏻

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

Thanks for sharing such heartwarming personal experiences. May GOD bless

[@andrewpeacock4695]

One of your best shows ever! More like this please.

[@keithlloyd4254]

As entertaining as always, long may you continue.

[@WesleyJH]

Lovely stories Mr Hicks. Thank you for sharing!

[@alastairnoremac4924]

Some brilliant stories there Kevin once again thank you very much appreciated and enjoyed

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Alastair 👍🏻

[@90762709]

Love the stories! Keep ‘em coming!

[@carlkinvig6047]

Warwick Castle is a great day out for the whole family, the team there do a great job, so too just up the road at Kenilworth Castle another site well worth a visit.

[@davidstrother496]

I doubt I could have ignored the challenge to shoot the bear either. I wish I could have been there to see the show. I also think it would have been an emotional moment shared with the blind boy. Great storytelling my friend. Cheers from Texas.

[@thehistorysquad]

We have a couple of out-takes on that particular story for our next Patreon-only Bloopers video 😂

[@delboytrotter2042]

Channels on youtube that i can watch all day are far & few in between.. yours is one of those. I can listen to you tell these stories without getting tired of the teller. Your personality is perfect.. the channel setup as far as what you cover and how you do it is as well perfect. Dont change lol. Some try to keep changing things to keep up with who knows what.. but you sir have the perfect recipe.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Del Boy, that's so kind of you and I agree about the set up - we're too long in the tooth now anyway to be bothered with wanting to change things 😜

[@wyrrlynmyrrlyn]

Great stories, thank you for sharing.

[@dolph3711]

This guy makes me love our history even more ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪🇬🇧💪🏻

[@davesheppard8797]

Another fantastic video Kev!! I loved watching your shoots at Warwick Castle.......especially when you shot the pear from across the river at 90 paces. Being an Archer (of sorts!! 🤔🤔) myself with several nice bickerstaffe longbows and a Ravenbeak yew selfbow I truly appreciate what a great shot that was. Take care Sir and thanks! Dave.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Dave, thanks. I've been looking at Ravenbeak, how do you get on with yours?

[@davesheppard8797]

@thehistorysquad Hi Kev, mine is a lovely tight grain Yew selfbow, with very pale sapwood and dark heartwood. No grip but a green malachite arrow pass. Nice small pale horn nocks. It is 52# @ 28" with a length of about 73" from string groove to string groove. It's incredibly light which gives you the impression that it can't have any power but it's really fast with no handshock. I have to shoot 50-55# or 60# medieval arrows to calm it down as it is so lively!! My Bickerstaffe bows that Pip made for me are superb too. I have a single growth ring Hickory backed Osage with an Osage core, the same in a pyramidal flatbow and a single growth ring Hickory backed Ipe with a purpleheart core plus a couple more that are Hickory backed lemonwood with a greenheart core and a Hickory backed lemonwood with purpleheart and greenheart core. All Pip's bows are super smooth to shoot and are forgiving and fast. As for my Ravenbeak Yew selfbow, it's the only Yew bow I've ever owned so I have nothing to compare it to. It is named, as all Jamie's bows are and mine is called " Solent" pronounced "Sol-ent" It is great though! I managed to find a video on KZbin of Jamie from Ravenbeak showing some bows before he shipped them off to England and mine was one of them! Dave.

[@davesheppard8797]

@thehistorysquad Further to my reply Kev, I have a nice little story of one of the last times I shot my Yew longbow. I was in our empty store across the road from the Theatre I work at. When empty it is my indoor shooting range. Anyway, I was coming to the end of a hour and a half shoot so I and the bow were fully warmed up and the bow was smooth and sweet. I was about to shoot my last end of 6 55# arrows and had moved closer to the target for the final shoot. The distance was about 35 long paces (3/4 distance) and I shoot with my back to the store entrance for safety. Just as I was about to shoot, a guy came in from the visiting theatre company, Disney's Beauty and the Beast if I remember, and he was on the phone. I heard him say "Oh, there's a guy in here playing Archery!!"........Playing Archery???!!!! Bloody cheek I thought!! My target is a layered compressed foam one, 60" X 60" and my actual target to aim at is a red paper disc 1 1/4" inces across. So barely visible at my distance. Needless to say I had the hump with this tosser so I ignored him and shot my last 6 arrows at full draw in a quick succession but not rushed, and anchoring for about half a second. Those last six arrows, shot with a lot of determination, thudded into the target in a tight bunch, all touching each other and near enough dead centre. My medieval arrows make a noise as they fly, not whistling but an air disturbed noise and then a solid thud at the end. After....I turned my head to look at the intruder of my shoot to see him white faced with eyes and mouth wide open!! 🤣🤣🤣. Playing at Archery indeed!! Bloody cheek!! 😂😂😂. Dave.

[@thehistorysquad]

@@davesheppard8797 Brilliant!! Love it, and I love that sound too. Cheers Dave 👍🏻

[@thehistorysquad]

@@davesheppard8797 That's great Dave, thank you.

[@alvindinsmore1949]

I am American and my wife is British . We have been to Warrick Castle and thought it was brilliant keep up the good work I find it very interesting.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Alvin, will do 👍🏻

[@PSDuck216]

That was one miraculous survival of the security guard. Wow! Great presentation! Cheers!

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, it wasn't half!

[@PhinAI]

Excellent, Sir!

[@bostarbird5282]

Love these stories. Especially the can I see you. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

[@gustavomarrero4826]

Thank you for sharing! I love your stories :)

[@ShuunThreier]

Really makes me wish i had been able to visit Warwick Castle when you worked there. Great stories!

[@lyndalawrence4383]

You have had such a fantastic life, I thank you personally for your service and all of your woderful stories. You truly are my history hero. God bless you and your family🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you Lynda, you're very kind.

[@roboutaboutintas5444]

Great stories Kevin! I visited the Castle some years ago and had a wonderful time. Best wishes to you!

[@k.t.1641]

This is where I first saw you on KZbin! So many people were impressed with you and how entertaining you were !

[@thehistorysquad]

They were fun times 👍🏻

[@clairewalters8238]

I absolutely love your channel. You are a true historian and since subscribing I have watched ALOT of you videos totally enthralled. Thank you ❤

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@legus9684]

As usual, it's always a delight to hear your stories. The one about the archer bear was pretty sweet, and the bodyguard one got a good laugh out of me.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Legus 👍🏻

[@butsutekkai1]

"Oh my God, he doesn't know", absolutely killed me. Been laughing for ages!

[@thehistorysquad]

🤣

[@nickwebb9290]

Wonderful, really enjoy your tales. Thank you for sharing them with us 😁

[@alanmackinnon3516]

I just love your stories Kevin.

[@MarlinMoore-s3c]

I have viewed several of your vids. Without a doubt, you are one of the best informed and engaging storytellers on KZbin. This particular vid was a 10+\10. Please make more “story” vids for us to enjoy! Well done, Sir!

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, thank you! I do still have plenty of stories to tell.

[@MGBranco]

Always worthy the time spent watching your videos Sir. Cheers from Portugal!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Miguel 👍🏻

[@Sam_Hannam]

Always love videos of your time at Warwick castle. Wish I could of seen you in person there. Great video!

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Sam

[@davidcreager1945]

Just loved the stories !!!! Very funny !!! Have a great weekend !

[@KRM02]

Kevin , Absolutely Loved this one buddy , I'm disabled and know what it's like tk some extent to have others stare at me but I cant imagine being blind that would be horrible. Very kind of you to entertain that young man because he was seeing History through you and your weapons. Keep it up . Kyle

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Kyle, will do 👍🏻

[@markordakowski5238]

I’m so very glad to have found your channel. What an amazing man and amazing experiences you’ve had. Thanks for sharing them and the history.

[@thehistorysquad]

And thank you for watching. Cheers!

[@pixill4ted593]

Love your stories, I could listen all day. Thanks again friend for all you do 👍🏼

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks for listening 👍🏻

[@frankieblue1945]

Brilliant. I rather enjoy your personal stories. That last story really broke my heart.

[@thehistorysquad]

It was a lovely moment. Thanks buddy.

[@GypsyHunter232UK]

Excellent presentation Kev..

[@cynicaldodgyknees6248]

Never a bad video, Kevin and thanks for all of your time and effort in sharing your knowledge and experiences. They are the perfect antedote to the doom and gloom that seems to prevail. Hopefully, you might announce your next live venues as I would love to see you in action and just say hello and thank you, personally. 👍

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers 👍🏻

[@J.n.A.1993]

You are a marvelous storyteller, sir. Thank you!

[@thehistorysquad]

You are very welcome 👍🏻

[@kiwifruit27]

Beautiful stories, thanks, I am so glad the channel is doing so well

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Kiwifruit, glad you're still here, I appreciate it 👍🏻

[@H4ppyCustom3r]

Interesting and well explained as always thank you

[@Elenaashby]

I loved your stories!!! The last one left me teary😢

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha me too, it look a lot of takes 😉

[@jeningle8288]

A lovely film. I laughed, then cried, keep them coming Kevin.x

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Jen.

[@zzirSnipzz1]

We need more of these they are absolutely awesome. You are amazing to watch Kevin and definitely make learning alot more fun

[@michaelpage4199]

Wow yet another great captivating story. Brilliant

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Michael 👍🏻

[@garysmith3173]

Lovely Kevin thank you sir.🏹🌻

[@jerrydempsey3490]

Wonderful stories. Thank you....❤

[@RandOm-hr5jn]

You have the best stories, no doubt about that.

[@TheLordRossy]

Great stories. Thank you