Page 79 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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Composite
prod or lath

Sharp, needle-like point ▶ LONGBOW
for penetrating armor Date c.1540
Origin England
Bowstring of Weight 25 ⁄4oz (730g) MEDIEV AL ARCHERS
3
twisted cord
Length 6 ⁄2ft (2m)
1
Originating in northern Europe
during the “Migration Period”
(c.400–800ce), the longbow
▲ CROSSBOW Widely used in Europe from the 12th century, came into general use only by
the late 13th century. Drawn
Date c.1460 the crossbow, when fired from the shoulder, was to the ear (rather than to the
very effective against armored knights (see
Origin Europe pp.78–79). Although the bolt was released with cheek), the superior tension of
Weight 9 ⁄4lb (4.4kg) great power, crossbows were slow to reload, the bowstring gave increased range.
3
1
Length 28 ⁄4in (72cm) so their rate of fire was far lower than longbows. A modern archer using a replica of
this bow (recovered from the wreck
of Henry VIII’s Mary Rose, which sank
in 1545), shot an arrow to a distance
Broadhead bolt of 328m (360 yards).
Groove ◀ CROSSBOW BOLTS
for bolt
Date c.1500 ◀ BODKIN ARROWHEAD
Origin Germany Date 15th century
Revolving 1
nut released Weight 1 ⁄4oz (35g) Origin Europe
1
by trigger Length 14 ⁄2in (37cm) Weight ⁄4oz (7g)
1
below Length 4 ⁄4in (12cm)
3
Shorter and heavier than longbow
arrows, bolts (or quarrels) had With their sharp pointed ends, bodkin
different tips depending on the arrowheads could breach mail and
effect required. Barbed broadhead were capable of penetrating weak
bolts were used primarily for points in plate armor. In battle an
hunting, whereas chisel-headed archer might stick such arrows in the
arrowheads were used against ground in front of him for easy access.
armored soldiers. The tip of the
bolt served as a sight when aiming.
Nock slots
▶ LONGBOW ARROWS
around
Sharp point Date c.1520 bowstring
and edges
Origin England
1
Weight 1 ⁄2oz (42g)
1
Length 29 ⁄2in (75cm)
Steel pin
to engage Longbow arrows, also
mechanism for called “clothyard” arrows
spanning bow (named after the standard early
14th-century length of cloth),
were mass-produced in
medieval England to supply
the king’s longbowmen. The
fletching (feathers) stabilized
the arrow in flight.

Barb ◀ BROADHEAD
ARROWHEAD
Date c.1500
Origin Europe
Weight 1oz (28g)
3
Length 1 ⁄4in (4.5cm)
Broad iron arrowheads with
barbs were able to inflict a
deep, wide wound, and the
barbs would cause terrible
(often fatal) damage to the
victim as they sliced through Shaft of ash
body tissue. or birch