Beursault Shooting: New Archery Discipline at Archers de Cognac

The Beursault shot is practiced in a “bow game”, composed of two mounds: the attack mound and the master mound, 50 meters apart. Each is equipped with a target and a Beursault map. The archers shoot back and forth before collecting their arrows via the “knights’ alley”. The central aisle, called “alley of the kings”, is only used during exceptional ceremonies.

“I discovered archery thanks to this discipline. »

Listed as part of France’s intangible cultural heritage, Beursault shooting is based on strict rules of honor and courtesy, governed by precise codification. Unlike classic archery, practitioners seek above all to perpetuate the traditions and values ​​associated with this discipline. It is recognized by the French Archery Federation (FFTA), and a file is in progress to obtain recognition by UNESCO.

A big party for the occasion

Mainly located in the north of France, Pascal Meinau, coach of the club, discovered this tradition around forty years ago. The idea of ​​creating this archery game locally was born in 2020, before being slowed down by the health crisis.

Discussions resume in January 2023 and end on October 31, the end date of the work. The next day, a first competition was organized, bringing together archers from Deux-Sèvres, Charente-Maritime and the Paris region. “I discovered archery thanks to this discipline. Bringing her back here was a challenge, but it’s an immense joy,” he confides.

The inauguration will take place in the presence of Parisian representatives, the Boutiers town hall, the president of Grand Cognac and that of the French Archery Federation. Families of arc knights will also participate in the event, accompanied by their flags and banners. A fanfare, a procession to the war memorial, then a solemn procession through the Allée des Rois will punctuate the ceremony. Each guest will be invited to shoot an arrow to mark the opening of the site.

Already, several Charente clubs have expressed their interest in coming to discover this discipline in Cognac. The Boutiers club will also host, on September 11, 12 and 13, the regional championships in this new space.

A little history

Beursault shooting appeared around the 12th century, when archery became obligatory for defending towns. Originally, it was military training practiced on Sundays by the bourgeoisie, called the “Frank Archers”. They formed a sort of guard responsible for protecting the city in the event of attack. The rules of Beursault shooting are therefore directly linked to combat: the distance of 50m corresponds to that of an archery confrontation, the target measures approximately 80cm, the width of a man’s torso, placed at a height of 1m, at the precise location of the joint of a knight’s armor, a vulnerable point that can cause serious injuries.