Bows

Facts and Information about Medieval Bows
The weapons used during the Middle Ages include the bows - the simple bow and arrow. The following description of Medieval bows provides basic facts and information about the weapon:

  • Bows were constructed in two parts
  • A strip of flexible material, such as wood, was linked at the two ends with a cord, or string, to form a tension from which is propelled the arrow
  • Most bows were made from yew but ash, hazel and elm were also used
  • The strings of bows were made from hemp as it was the strongest and least elastic fibre available
  • The string was then soaked in glue as some protection against moisture
  • The hammer struck with force could apply significant injury to a knight in armor
  • The spike end was used for grappling the target's armor or the reins of a warhorse
  • Type or group of weapons - Ranged Weapon which caused a projectile to leave the soldier and  strike a target

   
  

Bows

  • Interesting Facts and information about Medieval Bows used in warfare during the Middle Ages
  • Facts and Information about Medieval Bows
  • Bows Training
  • Facts and Information about Medieval Arrows
  • History of Medieval Bows

Bows

A weapon used in the Middle Ages ( Medieval period ) by an Archer

Facts and Information about Medieval Arrows
The weapons used during the Middle Ages include the bows and arrows. The following description of Medieval bows provides basic facts and information about the arrows:

  • The arrow was a straight shaft with a sharp point on one end and with feathers attached to the other end
  • The first arrows were broadhead arrows
  • But the the large arrow head, after which the broadhead was named, would distribute the impact over a large area and just bounce off or break against armor
  • Bodkin point arrows were invented to address this issue
  • Long bodkins were used for piercing mail
  • Short bodkins were used for piercing armor plate
  • The range of the new bodkin arrow reached 275 yards

A maker of bows, arrows, and other archery goods was called an Artillator.

Bows Training
Skill in the use of Medieval weapons and understanding the strategy of Medieval Warfare was necessary and a played a vital part in Medieval life. The training required by an Archer to use bows and arrows was extremely time consuming - it was necessary for them to become expert marksmen. Special places were assigned for the archery training called the Butts.

The Butts

The Bow and Arrow was apparently supplanted by the crossbow and then the longbow. The crossbow range was 350 – 400 yards but could only be shot at a rate of 2 bolts per minute. The crossbow was easy to use, requiring minimal training and required little strength to operate. But it shot too few bolts! The longbow launched arrows faster than any previous bows. A skilled longbowman could release between 10 - 12 arrows per minute - but required considerable training.

Facts and Information about the History of Medieval Bows
The Middle Ages was an extremely violent era in history featuring battles in both Europe and the Holy Land when the crusades, and the crusaders who fought them, were numerous. Feudal Lords and Knights used such weapons as the Bows in different types of warfare. The quest for power led to invasions of lands and territories which had to be fought for. Warfare during the Middle Ages, or Medieval era called for a variety of weapon expertise. The importance of the archers and their Medieval bows and arrows grew in importance. In 1252 the 'Assize of Arms' was passed which decreed that every man between the age of 15 to 60 years old were ordered to equip themselves with a bow and arrows. The Plantagenet King Edward III took this further and decreed the Archery Law in 1363 which commanded the obligatory practice of archery on Sundays and holidays! The Archery Law "forbade, on pain of death, all sport that took up time better spent on war training especially archery practise". King Henry I later proclaimed that an archer would be absolved of murder, if he killed a man during archery practise!

Bows
Each section of Middle Ages Weapons provides interesting facts and information about Medieval warfare in addition to the Bows and arrows. The Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of the Medieval period of the Middle Ages!

Bows

  • Middle Ages era, period, life, age and times
  • Interesting Facts and information about Medieval Bows used in warfare during the Middle Ages
  • Facts and Information about Medieval Bows
  • Bows Training
  • Facts and Information about Medieval Arrows
  • History of Medieval Bows

Bows

The Bows - History of Bows - Interesting Information about Bows - Bows Facts - Bows Info - Middle Ages Weapon - Middle Ages Weapon - Middle Ages Wepon - The Bows - Bows History - Information about Bows - Bows Facts - Bows Info - Knights weapon - Crusaders Weapon - Wepon - Training - Use - Makers - Crusades - Castle - Castles - Armor - Siege - Weapon training - The Bows - History of Bows - Information about Bows - Facts - Bows Info - Middle Ages Weapon - Middle Ages Weapon - Middle Ages Wepon - Bows History - Information about Bows - Facts about Bows and Info - Knights weapon - Crusaders Weapon - Wepon - Training - Use - Makers - Crusades - Castle - Armor - Siege - Weapon training - Written By Linda Alchin