What were the two advantages of the English longbow?
The biggest advantage of the English longbow is its ability to launch heavy projectiles long distances to pierce armor. This power comes from drawing the string back and bending the think bow wood. The minimum draw weight of a traditional English longbow would have been 80 lbs.
Was the long bow effective?
The longbow was extremely effective, because each archer could fire 20 arrows in a minute, at an enemy out of range to other weapons in response, apart from the crossbow, which took up to 30 seconds to load. An arrow shower was extremely demoralising as well as dealing death to soldiers and horses.
Why was the longbow such a big improvement?
Longbows were serious weapons, and their power was immense. Arrows could penetrate chain mail with relative ease, and frequently did, making plate armour more and more necessary. While medieval crossbows were also very powerful range weapons, longbows were cheaper, easier to make, and faster to shoot.
How did the longbow impact society?
The longbow was vital in the victory of the English over the French in the Hundred Years’ War. The ability of the archers to shoot more arrows per minute than crossbowmen and the long range of the weapon gave the outnumbered English an advantage in the Battles of Crecy and Agincourt.
How did the longbow give England an advantage?
The longbow, or warbow, had several advantages over the nearest comparable weapon, the crossbow. It was capable of much faster rates of fire and had a greater range. Various types of arrowhead were available, including bodkin points for piercing plate armour and broad heads useful for bringing down horses.
Why did the longbow fall out of use?
No English longbows survive from the period when the longbow was dominant (c. 1250–1450), probably because bows became weaker, broke, and were replaced rather than being handed down through generations. More than 130 bows survive from the Renaissance period, however.
Why did the Welsh longbow fall out of use so soon?
Why did the Welsh Longbow fall out of use so soon? It was difficult to get skillful archers. The author mentions improved agricultural practices leading to surplus food as being the cause of people not practicing the longbow. The author mentions an interesting rationale for the formation of villages.
What were the impacts of the Hundred Years War?
The loss of all English-held territory in France except Calais. A high number of casualties amongst the nobility, particularly in France. A decline in trade, especially English wool and Gascon wine. A great wave of taxes to pay for the war which contributed to social unrest in both countries.
How did the longbow cause a social class revolution?
The English Longbow was one of the defining weapons of the middle ages. It helped England challenge the might of the French and enabled ordinary peasants to defeat wealthy knights.
How accurate was the English longbow?
Accuracy. For its day the longbow possessed both long range and accuracy, though seldom both at once. Scholars estimate the longbow’s range at between 180 to 270 yards. It is unlikely however, that accuracy could be ensured beyond 75-80 yards.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the longbow?
Now onto the Longbow. The Longbow had a few noted advantages over the yumi. Firstly It was made of fewer materials Typically the heartwood and sap wood of the yew tree and if you were a professional ox horn tips on the nocks and a good stain and polish on the wood.
What was the longbow used for in medieval times?
English longbow. The English longbow was a powerful medieval type of longbow (a tall bow for archery) about 6 ft (1.8 m) long used by the English and Welsh for hunting and as a weapon in medieval warfare. English use of longbows was effective against the French during the Hundred Years’ War, particularly at the start…
What was the weight of an English longbow?
A six-foot bow made of yew wood, the English longbow had a draw weight of between 80 and 150 pounds, an effective range of up to 350 yards.
How did the longbow influence the 100 Years War?
English archers would continue to be influential in later battles in The 100 Years War, particularly at Agincourt where English bowmen again helped to defeat a much better equipped army of French knights. Over time the longbow was replaced by gunpowder, but it continues to hold a special place in English psyche.