English longbow

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English longbow

weapon

Also known as: Welsh longbow

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Last updated

June 26, 2026

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The longbow was a significant weapon primarily used by the English from the Hundred Years' War into the 16th century. Likely of Welsh origin, the best longbows were crafted from yew and could require a drawing force of 70 to 80 kg. They shot arrows approximately 94 cm long, with an effective range of 140 to 300 meters. The longbow played a crucial role in key battles such as Crécy, Poitiers, and Agincourt. While requiring extensive training to master, it offered superior range, accuracy, and rate of fire compared to the crossbow.12

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military technology
The English longbow
The longbow evolved during the 12th century in response to the demands of siege and guerrilla operations in the Welsh Marches, a topographically close and economically marginal area that was in many ways similar to the regions in which the crossbow had evolved…
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The longbow evolved during the 12th century in response to the demands of siege and guerrilla operations in the Welsh Marches, a topographically close and economically marginal area that was in many ways similar to the regions in which the crossbow had evolved…
Read More

crossbow
Despite the introduction of the English (or Welsh) longbow, with its quicker rate of fire, the crossbow continued its reign as the supreme hand missile weapon until, and even for a long time after, the introduction of firearms. The crossbow’s great advantage was that no particular strength was needed to…
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Despite the introduction of the English (or Welsh) longbow, with its quicker rate of fire, the crossbow continued its reign as the supreme hand missile weapon until, and even for a long time after, the introduction of firearms. The crossbow’s great advantage was that no particular strength was needed to…
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archery
The bow
The English longbow, made of wood from the English yew tree (Taxus baccata), became famous in legend and history for the victories it won over the French at the battles of Crécy, Poitiers, and Agincourt during the Hundred Years’ War. Composite bows made of wood, horn,…
Read More
The English longbow, made of wood from the English yew tree (Taxus baccata), became famous in legend and history for the victories it won over the French at the battles of Crécy, Poitiers, and Agincourt during the Hundred Years’ War. Composite bows made of wood, horn,…
Read More

bow and arrow
…the Middle Ages, and the English longbow, introduced to European battlefields in the 14th century, that made the arrow a formidable battlefield missile. The longbow, which seems to have originated in Wales, was as tall as a man and the arrow about half that length, the famous cloth-yard shaft. The…
Read More
…the Middle Ages, and the English longbow, introduced to European battlefields in the 14th century, that made the arrow a formidable battlefield missile. The longbow, which seems to have originated in Wales, was as tall as a man and the arrow about half that length, the famous cloth-yard shaft. The…
Read More