17 Sep 25

The English Longbow: A Weapon that Shaped History

Few weapons are as synonymous with English military tradition as the longbow. This simple yet highly effective piece of archery equipment played a pivotal role in medieval warfare and has since become an enduring symbol of English martial skill.

What is the English Longbow?

The English longbow was a powerful type of bow, typically made from yew wood, standing around 6 feet (1.8 metres) in height or taller – often equal to or greater than the archer’s own height. It was capable of shooting arrows over remarkable distances, sometimes exceeding 250 yards, with deadly force. Unlike shorter bows, which relied on snap shooting, the longbow required a full draw to the ear or jaw, storing considerable energy in the limbs of the weapon.

The arrows themselves, known as “bodkins” or “broadheads” depending on the tip, were designed either to pierce armour or to cause maximum injury to unarmoured foes. The combination of longbow and arrow gave English archers a battlefield advantage for centuries.

Famous Uses in Battle

The longbow rose to prominence during the late Middle Ages, becoming most famous during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. Three battles in particular cemented its reputation:

Crécy (1346): English archers decimated the French cavalry with relentless volleys, establishing the longbow’s dominance.
Poitiers (1356): Once again, longbowmen helped secure a resounding English victory over a larger French force.
Agincourt (1415): Perhaps the most legendary encounter, where Henry V’s outnumbered army used archers behind muddy ground and defensive stakes to break French assaults.

In these clashes, disciplined archery fire disrupted charges, thinned enemy ranks, and gave smaller English armies the upper hand.

Training and Practice

Mastering the longbow was no easy task. Drawing one often required a pull strength of 80 to 120 pounds – far greater than modern sporting bows. This meant that regular practice was essential, and indeed, it was legally enforced.

Medieval English law obliged men to practise archery from a young age. From the 13th century onwards, statutes were passed that required every able-bodied male to own a bow and practise on Sundays and feast days. Archery butts – raised earth mounds used as targets – were a common sight in villages across the country.

This lifelong training left physical traces: skeletal remains of medieval archers often show enlarged left arms and distorted shoulders from decades of use. For them, the bow was not merely a weapon but a way of life, embedded into the social and military fabric of England.

Legacy

Although the longbow eventually fell out of favour with the rise of gunpowder weapons, its cultural and historical legacy remains strong. It epitomises the effectiveness of skill, training, and discipline over brute numbers.

Why not take up the longbow yourself? Join the East Kent Warbow Society (EKWS) – a community for lovers of traditional Medieval and Tudor longbows (and crossbows) based in Kent.

With EKWS you can:

Take part in butts shooting (up to ~40 metres), clout shooting (up to ~200 metres), or woodland roving shoots in forested settings.
Use authentic traditional bow types (English Longbows, Viking bows, Eastern Horse Bows) rather than modern sport bows.
Enjoy workshops and courses – from arrow making to bow making.

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