Page 49 - History of War - Issue 18-15

THE BOW THAT BUILT BRITAIN

HANDLE
Medieval war bows had nothing covering the handle, unlike
morerecentlongbows.Leathergripsareseenonmost
modern or Victorian bows, sometimes intricately detailed
or decorated. These can be padded, or wrapped around
cork to make the thin handle more comfortable.

BOWSTRINGS
Bowstrings were made from hemp or linen. The
strands were coated in beeswax and twisted
together to form a strong loop with no knots or joins
that could result in weakness. When the bow was
not being used, the string loops were lifted out of
the horn nocks and slid down the bow limb.

“A FEATHER HAS A NATURAL CURVE, AND
BY USING THREE FEATHERS FROM THE

SAME WING, SPIN WOULD BE IMPARTED
TO THE ARROW MUCH LIKE RIFLING”

WAR BOW VS SPORTING BOW
As military archery became extinct, the longbow evolved into
sporting equipment. The immense draw-weights were no longer
necessary, as arrows didn’t need to pierce thick armour. As
a result, the bows became lighter, faster and more stable –
perfect for shooting in competitions. They became stiffer in the
centre section for increased accuracy, and exotic hardwoods
began to be used in laminations to rival the natural spring of
yew, which was quickly becoming rare and expensive.

ARROWS
The arrows used in military archery varied greatly in
size, shape and weight. An average length of around
30 inches can be assumed from the thousands
of arrows found on the Mary Rose, which sank in
1545. Often half an inch thick at the point, they
were armed with hand-forged steel heads, each
designed to do a specifi c job.

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