History of the Longbows

[PseRamesses]

Just finished an article, published in the latest number of the Swedish magazine "Popular History", regarding the history of the longbow.

In Denmark finds of longbows can be dated to around 200-400AD and in southern Germany from around 600AD. Several finds suggests that the vikings used longbows. The Welsh longbow is really a flat-bow which is a development and upgrade from the classical longbow. It made it´s entrance during the 100y war and is first portrayed in the battle at Crezy in 1346. This is the "longbow" that most people know about.
The classical longbow could fire 250 meters at max but accuray and impact was best at around 100 meters and they could fire around 7 arrows/ minute.

Just wanted to share this info since I´ve seen a lot of posts regarding longbows.

[Mouzafphaerre]

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Thanks. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

In my current modlet I restricted them to be buildable only in Wales and Wessex, by anybody holding those provinces. Maybe I should alter it?
_

[Oleander Ardens]

I`ve studied the history of the "European" bow quite intensivly.

There are many different "simple" bow designs in Central/Northern Europe since as long as 8000BC. There are some excellent books on this issue, with bows from Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and Tyrol.

Note that this bows were a weapon of choice both for hunting and warfare, being powerful, neat weapons with a great deal of different arrowheads for all uses.

Some do resemble the "classic" english Langbow, while others used succesfully other patterns which allowed to carve smaller bows of equal power (different arms).


While the Compositebow was known in Central Europe as long as the Thracian-Cimmerian migrations in 900-700 BC it did never fully replace the fullwood bow.

Findings from the eastern Hallstatt culure show for example the use of Scythian merc. with their typical weapons, one of which being the doublecurved reflex composite bow.

A nice example of coexistence are the findings in Alemannic greaves which show two different types of wooden bows and the alan composite bow..

Type A is a easy-to-shoot "fast" bow best used for short-medium distances, ideal for the hunt and light skirmishers. The long grip is noteworhty.

Type B is a "longbow" design, better for longer distances...

Type C is the composite bow..

[PseRamesses]

Quote[/b] (Mouzafphaerre @ April 22 2004,09:28)]In my current modlet I restricted them to be buildable only in Wales and Wessex, by anybody holding those provinces. Maybe I should alter it?
No I don´t think you should since the longbow prtrayed in the game is a Welsh one so I think you´re right to have it there and that Oleander Ardens is pointing out it´s just a matter of definition, right?

[MalibuMan]

Mwahahahahahaha I've finally found a way to bring physics to the org

Did you know that there is a reason why the 'English' longbow (fullwoods like yew) was less popular the further south you went, where they used composite bows etc. instead?

The properties of the wood change with temperature and humidity, so that in hotter climes it is nowhere near as elastic, so can't store as much energy for the shot (i.e. it's too easy to draw). It therefore becomes much less powerful compared to other designs, which it can beat hands down in e.g. England.

[solypsist]

Quote[/b] (PseRamesses @ April 22 2004,08:13)]Just wanted to share this info since I´ve seen a lot of posts regarding longbows.
Share it in the proper forum next time.