English longbow
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The English longbow was a powerful medieval type of bow, about 6 ft long. While it is debated whether it originated in England or in Wales from the Welsh bow, by the 14th century the longbow was being
Self-yew English longbow, 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) long , 470 N (105 lbf) draw force.
A late 15th century illustration of the Battle of Crécy. English longbowmen figure prominently in the foreground on the right, where they are driving away Italian mercenary crossbowmen.
Self (bottom) and laminated (top) bows for comparison
Archers at the Battle of Poitiers, 1356
Battle of Crécy
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The Battle of Crécy took place on 26 August 1346 in northern France between a French army commanded by King Philip VI and an English army led by King Edward III. The French attacked the English while
English longbow
…of war and for hunting. English longbows were effective against the French during the Hundred Years' War, particularly in the battles of Sluys (1340), Crécy (1346), Poitiers (1356), and Agincourt (1415). They were less successful later on, as longbowmen had their lines broken at the Battle of Verneuil (1424…
Edward III of England
Philip VI of France
A modern replica of a bodkin point arrowhead used by English longbows to penetrate armour