View source for Longbow

[[image:longbow.jpg|right|120px|thumb|Replica medieval ash longbow.]]
The '''longbow''' is a self (one piece of [[wood]] not artificially laminated) [[bow]] of varying length, used frequently in the [[middle ages]] and became synonomous with [[england|English]] warfare. Whilst the longbow was not unique to the [[england|English]], it was used in great numbers by that nation and their [[archers|longbow]] were greatly feared and reviled. Historically it was referred to simply as a 'bow'.

The bow was preferrably made of [[yew]] (Spanish [[yew]] was prized) although it could also be made of [[ash]], [[witchhazel]] or [[witchelm]]. These [[bow]]s typically have a stacked D section to the centre part of the [[bow]] and could have a heartwood belly and sapwood back to enhance their performance. The upper and lower tips of the bow limbs were tipped with [[horn]] and did not appear to have a bound [[grip]] or [[arrow]] shelf. 

Longbows themselves vary in length and examples from the [[16th century]] [[Mary Rose]] ship find are between 1.82 to 2.12m long. Earlier longbows from Nydam are 1.73m, Ballinderry 1.85m and [[Hedeby]] 1.92m long. D section longbows of [[yew]] are known in [[England]] from approx 2665 BC and there are examples from [[Scotland]] dated to between 4040 and 3640 BC. 

The draw weights of the Mary Rose bows have been calculated at mostly between 150-160 lbs with the upper limit being around 190 lb. Some modern longbow [[archery|archers]] can draw and accurately shoot longbows of over 150 lb draw weights, but they are in the minority. The current world record for a drawn and shot longbow is 200lb. To compare, modern [[SCA]] combat bows are 30lb at a 28" draw and target archers rarely use above a 60 lb bow.

==Reference==
''The Great Warbow'', Strickland and Hardy ''2005''

==See Also==
*[[longbowman]]
*[[crossbow]]

[[category:weapons]]
[[category:archery]]
[[category:artefact (medieval)]]


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