The longbow was an essential weapon of medieval warfare and played a significant role in numerous battles such as Agincourt, Crecy and Poitiers. Its use was even widespread among English mercenaries during the Hundred Years’ War.
Longbows were usually made from yew wood, though other tree species such as wych elm or oak could also be used. Yew is an exceptionally hard and tough wood that makes it perfect for crafting into a longbow. After curing for one to two years, the final form would be achieved.
A longbow was designed to be tall, with a curved shape that allowed for an extended draw. However, its limbs weren’t recurved and its cross-section was circular or D-shaped.
These limbs were attached to a broad bowstring which could be made out of animal sinew, hemp, silk, rattan or vegetable fibres. The string itself had to be strong enough to withstand the arrow’s impact.
In the Middle Ages, longbowmen were considered experts in archery; they could shoot a single arrow from almost 1,000 feet, an distance impossible to hit with modern firearms. To accomplish this feat, they employed various strategies such as firing large numbers of arrows simultaneously.
This strategy proved successful, as it gave the longbowmen a wide area to aim at and they weren’t afraid to fire as many arrows as possible into an enemy army. This type of tactic played a major role in English victories at Agincourt and Crecy where French knights could not stand against the overwhelming might of English longbowmen.
The longbow was an effective weapon of war, boasting high accuracy and precision that could be controlled with great skill. Furthermore, its speed made it ideal for attacking a variety of targets simultaneously.
Prior to the invention of firearms, the longbow was an indispensable weapon of medieval military. It was commonly used to guard castle gates and it quickly gained popularity among archers as a weapon of choice. This tradition has since spread throughout many cultures around the world and can still be observed today by some traditional archers, particularly in rural areas.
Longbows were widely used throughout the Middle Ages, yet their production was restricted due to a scarcity of raw materials. With England’s shortage of yew and other trees, archers had no choice but to rely on imports from France, Italy or Germany for their supplies.
Medieval longbows were typically made out of yew, a tough wood which accounts for why so many from this period remain intact today. The Mary Rose, which sank at Portsmouth in 1545 during Henry VIII’s navy, contains more than 3,500 arrows and 137 whole longbows – some still in excellent condition – on board.
The longbow was an essential weapon in English military operations during the medieval era and is still used today by traditional archers for hunting and tournaments. This affinity can be seen in folk legends like Robin Hood, who often depicted himself as a skilled archer; and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s poem “Song of the Bow,” from The White Company.
