The Longbow
Longbows are often made from a single piece of yew wood and longbow history stretches back many thousands of years. The longbow, unlike the much newer compound bow, requires a lot of strength to handle accurately with some longbow draw weights reaching beyond 200lbs. The longbow isn’t as curved as todays recurve bow and it uses arrows averaging around 30 inches in length. Longbows have an extremely interesting place in archery history and many varieties emerged during it’s use in warfare roles and while hunting big game.
The English Longbow
The English longbow, also known as the Welsh longbow, deserves special recognition as a weapon of war for it’s use during the middle ages. The English longbow, standing up to 6 feet 11 inches tall, was often taller than the archer wielding it. Perhaps most famously used against the French during the hundred years war and during the battle of Agincourt, and capable of penetrating moderate armor, the English longbow struck fear into advancing enemies. The oldest english longbow has been dated to 2665BC. There are few longbowmen in existence today that could handle the 180lb draw weight found on old english longbows accurately. Skeletons of period longbow archers show signs of deformation where muscle meets bone, archery was not for the weak.
Longbow Accuracy
The longbow has an extremely long range and a high degree of accuracy but not both at the same time. Today’s longbows have a useable range of up to two hundred yards and accuracy is hard to maintain past 80 yards. During warfare groups of longbowmen, or longbow archers, would target an area and loose at a relatively high rate of speed. This practice proved extremely effective against large numbers of enemy but would tire the archer quickly and render him useless within minutes when all arrows were expended. In contrast aimed shots provided a high degree of success but required the enemy to be closer. Aimed shots are more suitable when bowhunting or in archery games.
Longbow Advantages
The longbow is generaly lighter that modern recurve and compound bows as well as being faster to prepare for shooting. The longbow is also more quiet than most conventional bows. A longbow requires only one piece of wood and can be made quickly by an experienced craftsman.
Longbow Disadvantages
Lesser arrow speed and less accurate in general than other modern bows. A higher degree of strength is required to master the longbow. Though less of a problem in modern times the longbow loses firmness over time which negatively impacts its overall characteristics. Cumbersome in size.
Longbows For Sale
If a long bow is in your future consider keeping an eye on auctions to get a good price indication. Additionally consider becoming a member in your local archery club and soak up all of the archery tips you can, the longbow can be extremely challenging as well as rewarding.
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New 72 cherry w hickory backing long bow longbow Current Price: US $76.00 End Date: Monday Sep-08-2008 12:04:17 PDT |
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Bear Archery MONTANA longbow 50# RH Current Price: US $159.50 End Date: Monday Sep-08-2008 12:33:15 PDT |
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New traditional hickory longbow 68" long bow 25-30 RH Current Price: US $12.11 End Date: Monday Sep-08-2008 13:09:31 PDT |
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VINTAGE INDIAN ARCHERY LONGBOW R/L/H Current Price: US $31.00 End Date: Monday Sep-08-2008 14:37:22 PDT |
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Black Widow right handed wooden Longbow Current Price: US $525.00 End Date: Monday Sep-08-2008 17:09:30 PDT |
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Longbow Parts Kit IPE Zebra Hickory Backing Long Bow Current Price: US $38.99 End Date: Monday Sep-08-2008 19:19:00 PDT |
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PSE Heritage Series RH Sequoia Longbow Current Price: US $125.00 End Date: Monday Sep-08-2008 19:30:00 PDT |
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PSE Heritage Series RH Legacy Longbow Current Price: US $125.00 End Date: Monday Sep-08-2008 19:30:00 PDT |
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Traditional30# Hickory Archery Self Long bow Longbow Current Price: US $95.00 End Date: Monday Sep-08-2008 19:48:49 PDT |
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Traditional35# Hickory Archery Self Long bow Longbow Current Price: US $95.00 End Date: Monday Sep-08-2008 19:51:59 PDT |
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Bear Archery Company 60” Longbow Current Price: US $75.00 End Date: Tuesday Sep-09-2008 15:21:07 PDT |
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Vintage Osage Rawhide Backed Longbow Rare Collectable Current Price: US $100.00 End Date: Tuesday Sep-09-2008 16:03:41 PDT |
Do you own a longbow? If so please share your thoughts via comment below.