What were the main characteristics of English longbows?

The main characteristics of English longbows included a length of about six feet, typically made from yew wood. They had a draw weight ranging from 80 to 150 pounds and could have an effective range of up to 350 yards. These longbows were capable of penetrating most steel plate armors of the medieval period. They gained a reputation for reliability, power, a high rate of fire, and exceptional range, especially during significant battles of the Hundred Years' War like Crécy and Agincourt. The design and craftsmanship of the longbows, including factors like draw weight and the quality of yew wood, were essential for their effectiveness.

How were arrows for English longbows constructed?

Arrows for English longbows were meticulously crafted from various materials including wood, feathers, and metal tips. The process involved shaping the shaft, traditionally from ash, poplar, beech, or hazel wood. The fletching, typically made from goose, swan, peacock, or ostrich feathers, was attached to the shaft to stabilize the arrow during flight. The arrowheads, often narrow, long, and sharply ground with barbs, were made from metal. These arrows, around 30 inches (76 cm) long, played an essential role in the effectiveness of English archers during the Hundred Years' War.

What protective gear did English archers wear?

Late medieval English archers typically wore padded jacks made from up to 24 layers of cloth, often reinforced with parts of plate armor such as breastplates and armor for the arms. Additionally, they wore open-face helmets and sometimes chainmail under or over their padded armor. This combination provided considerable protection while maintaining mobility, which was crucial for their role in battle.

How did English archers prepare for close combat?

English archers prepared for close combat by utilizing their sturdy longbows, which were effective both for long-range shooting and close combat. In addition to their proficiency with the bow, archers often carried secondary weapons such as swords, battle axes, maces, or falchions to defend themselves if the enemy closed in. They were also equipped with armor like gambesons, chain mail, or breastplates for protection in melee situations.

Why did the use of bows decline in warfare?

The decline in the use of bows in warfare can be attributed primarily to the rise of handguns. Handguns provided significant advantages over bows due to their ease of use and the relatively short time required to train soldiers in their operation. Loading and firing a handgun was simpler and more efficient, allowing for greater battlefield effectiveness. Additionally, advancements in armor made it increasingly difficult for arrows to inflict damage, further contributing to the decline of bows as primary weapons in warfare. By the 16th century, firearms had largely replaced bows, marking a significant shift in military tactics and equipment.

What materials were used to make English longbows?

English longbows were traditionally made from yew wood, prized for its strength and flexibility, which allowed for powerful shots. Other woods such as ash and elm were also used depending on availability and regional preferences.

How did archers maintain their bows?

Archers in medieval times maintained their bows by carrying them un-strung in linen bow bags when not in use to prevent them from drying out and to keep them clean. Bows were also waxed or oiled for additional protection against weather conditions. Spare bowstrings were kept dry and ready by carrying them in a bag with personal belongings or under a hat in case of rain. These maintenance practices ensured the longevity and functionality of their primary weapon during battles.

What was the typical draw weight of an English longbow?

The typical draw weight of an English longbow ranged from 80 to 160 pounds, requiring significant physical strength and training from the archer.

How did English archers protect their arms during archery?

English archers protected their arms during archery by using armguards or bracers, commonly made of leather, to shield their forearms from the bowstring's recoil. This not only helped to prevent injuries but also provided support and stability while shooting. These armguards were typically fastened with straps and buckles, ensuring a secure fit. Leather forearm protectors were found on the "Mary Rose," an English warship that sank in 1545, indicating their common usage among archers.

What types of arrowheads were commonly used by English archers?

English archers commonly used several types of arrowheads during the Medieval period. The most prevalent was the bodkin, a narrow, dagger-like arrowhead effective at penetrating armor. Arrowheads were generally divided into barbed and non-barbed groups. Barbed broadheads were also used for hunting due to their ability to cause deep bleeding. Non-barbed arrowheads included various types of bodkins designed to penetrate different kinds of armor. These arrowheads included the needle bodkin, triangular bodkin, and war bodkin, each providing different levels of armor penetration.

During the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453), the French were most afraid of the archers of the English armies. In battles such as Crécy in 1356 or Azincourt in 1415, they proved that their fear was justified. Although it is no longer possible to trace exactly how the archers were trained, numerous illustrations of various origins provide information about their clothing, equipment and armor. However, due to the deterioration of the oldest finds of bows, arrow shafts and arm guards, much of today's knowledge had to be researched in a roundabout way.

The bow - the foundation of the equipment

The bows used in the Middle Ages are known today as "(English) longbows". Yew wood was ideal for making them, which traders imported from all over Europe, preferably from Spain and later Italy (Venice). The bows would be ideal if they were a hand's breadth longer than the archer was tall. However, due to mass production, the bow makers apparently standardized them to between 5'7'' and 6'2'' (about 170-190cm). However, the bows from the "Mary Rose", an English warship that sank in 1545, are around seven to ten centimetres longer.

A bow is shaped so that the back is on the outside and the belly on the inside, the longitudinal section forms a "D". The archers must have been very strong, because the draw weight to draw a bow was between 80 and 120 lb (British pounds, 1 lb = 453 g), whereas today it is between 40 and 60 lb.

To protect the bows from the weather, they were waxed or oiled; in addition, archers carried them in linen sheaths. These weapons were very popular because they were very effective and cheap to produce. The craftsman twisted the strings from hemp threads and strengthened them in the middle by wrapping them around. The bows were maintained with wax, oil or a special glue to protect them from moisture. In the event that the string became unusable, archers carried spare strings under their helmets, where they were protected from external influences.

The archer's arrows

The arrow shafts were made of different types of wood. Those of the "Mary Rose" are about 30 inches (70 - 80 cm) long. The arrow maker sawed a slit across the grain of the arrowhead so that the string could be gripped easily. He then glued on feathers - often from geese, peacocks, swans or ostriches - and wound them tightly with thin hemp threads. The most common tip was probably narrow, long, sharply ground and had a barb.

All archers were equipped with a "sheaf" (bundle) of 24 arrows, which were supplied by the wagons that sometimes accompanied the warriors during battles. If the battle was interrupted, the archers would pick up the arrows and replace the tips if necessary. Researchers also found leather forearm protectors with hallmarks in the "Mary Rose". The fighters were able to fasten these with a leather strap and buckle.

Incidentally, there is no indication that the archers wore anything to protect their fingers or hands. This leads to the conclusion that they must have had an enormous amount of callus. If you take a closer look at the depictions, you can see that the archers only pulled the bowstring with their index and middle fingers, not with three fingers like today. The French threatened the archers with cutting off these two fingers so that the prisoners would no longer be able to draw a bow. For this reason, the English presented the French with their index and middle fingers to provoke them. Today, this is still perceived as a serious insult. So next time you order two beers, don't demonstrate the number with your fingers, it could go wrong!

Clothing and armor - distinguishing features

To protect themselves, most archers wore a gambeson. This was originally knee-length and had padded sleeves that narrowed towards the wrist. For greater freedom of movement, the skirts were shorter and the sleeves were either thinner or detachable. After a while, the focus shifted to incorporating shoulder pads or reinforcements on the forearm. Initially, the stitching was vertical, but over time horizontal stitching and diamond patterns were added. Archers also wore a chain mail shirt under or over the gambeson. In the 15th century, some converted to breastplates or brigantines.

Footwear consisted of shoes or boots made of leather in many variations. The headgear was either a metal bascinet with a neck guard made of chain mail (aventail) or a conical helmet made of one piece of metal or several layers of iron, horn or whalebone. From the 1450s onwards, archers usually wore a shaller without a visor. The hairstyles were mostly very short. On the march or in camp, they wore, for example, bonnets, hats or fur caps on their heads. Who belonged to which county or town could usually be recognized by various sewn-on insignia. From the middle of the 15th century, archers could usually be identified by a white, sleeveless vest with a large, red St. George's cross on the front and back.

Equipment and armament - what an archer carried with him

In a noble household, all followers received weapons, armor and equipment from the lords, the available resources from the city or county they served. The equipment consisted of a bow, a "sheaf of arrows" (two dozen arrows), a sword, one or more knives and sometimes also a buckler, a small fist shield. Individual extras included a hood, mending kit, crosses and a water bottle.

It was also useful to be equipped for close combat should the enemy close in too quickly. Some archers fought with a battle axe, mace or falchion instead of a sword. If the county or town did not provide horses, the archers fought on foot. Most of the armor was transported in numerous wagons or on packhorses. Some possessions were loot from plundering, others were passed down from generation to generation through inheritance.

The end of the bow as a weapon

When the first firearms appeared, the bow was no longer effective enough and was subsequently replaced. Moreover, it took years to develop into a good archer, whereas it only took a few months to train as a cannoneer, arquebusier or musketeer. The use of the bow was then mainly limited to sporting activities and was used for recreational purposes, as we still know it today.