English Longbowmen
Listen to "English Longbowmen"
In the history of archery, the title for most important invention probably goes to the English Longbowmen (or the Mongolian Recurve Bow which you can learn more about in the "Mongolian Fighting Tactics" episode). English Longbowmen brought about the end of the cavalry-dominated era and retained dominance over Europe for a period of around 300 years. Specifically, they allowed the English to dominate the French at the battles of Crecy (1346), Poitiers (1356), and Agincourt (1415). Though the English eventually lost the Hundred Years War, the English Longbowmen still made their mark.
For more information, read:
In the history of archery, the title for most important invention probably goes to the English Longbowmen (or the Mongolian Recurve Bow which you can learn more about in the "Mongolian Fighting Tactics" episode). English Longbowmen brought about the end of the cavalry-dominated era and retained dominance over Europe for a period of around 300 years. Specifically, they allowed the English to dominate the French at the battles of Crecy (1346), Poitiers (1356), and Agincourt (1415). Though the English eventually lost the Hundred Years War, the English Longbowmen still made their mark.
For more information, read:
- http://www.student.utwente.nl/~sagi/artikel/longbow/longbow.html
- Extreme War by Terrence Poulos
- The Dictionary of Battles by David Chandler
- Military Anecdotes by Max Hastings
posted by George Hageman at 10:44 AM
6 Comments:
George-- wow-- thank you for doing this episode. I enjoyed it very much. Did you by chance come across any pictures of how the archers caried their arrows since military archers did not use quivers?
Keep up the great work-- love your podcast
Rob
Good Show!
Archery is fascinating.
FYI
Terra, the podcast from Montana State Univ., features a video episode on the atalatl
Thi Quote is take from the book TAMERLANE BY JUSTIN MAROOZI.
>>>"The Central Asian composite bow, made from horn, wood and sinew, was one of the most devastating bows ever created. Historians have rightyly made much of the English longobow, but the composite bow was a spuerior weapon by far. Unlike the longbow, which was about six feet in length, it was extremely short, varying between froty and fifty inches. This portable size made it an ideal weapon for a mounted archer, who, unlike the longbowman on the ground, did not become obsolete against a charging enemy after only one or two shots. Moreover, despite its small size, its curved frame provided a draw just as long as that of longbow, and a range double that of a wooden bow of similar weight. The longbow had to be the height of a man to withstand the strain of the long draw. The more advanced technology of the composite bow, which used three different materials, avoided such constraints. Although desigsn changed over the years, and from region to region, the composite bow had a wooden core which formed the frame and determined its final shape. On the side facing the archer was a layer of buffalo horn, which could withstand great compression. Teh opposite side - facing the target- was covered with sinw, which could withstand high level of tension. These were bonded together with glue, given a covering of tree bark, skin or leather, and then coated in paint or lacquer to protect hygroscopic weapon from the elements. A reflexed bow, it curved a sharply forward when at rest, stretching back considerably when drawn. In the hands of Temur's mounted archers, who used bronze thumb rings to give them a maximum draw on the bowstring, the weapon was used to brilliant effect."
Hi there
I am writing a novel about the Parthians and am looking for someone who might know how to find an archery enthusiast with a reconstructed Parthian composite bow.
Anyone got any ideas?
Thanks
Ben
recurve bows are great
www.recurvebows.org
HI i am manik, i have started a recurve bow personal website, i like your blog, So do you want to exchange links? You can put a link to my website and i will do the same, my website name is www.recurvebow.org , I will wait for you reply, take care!
My mail iD is manikauluck@gmail.com
Post a Comment
<< Home