Mine is American hickory which will not hold it's shape forever like yew. But costs 1/4 as much.

I once read about the Mary Rose, an English warship that capsized and sank in 1545.  It had lots of longbows on board.  As late as the 1620's longbow instruction was a part of the English army training. But somewhere after that it disappeared from general use.  I wonder if an English soldier from 1650 would have known how to shoot.  Or 1675.

This song sometimes uses the name Mary Golden Rose, or Merry Golden Tree, and another names in different old song books. In most versions, both ships are sunk.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 30, 20241 yr by Fielder

The Longbow is the reason I always play 'Britons' in the game Age Of Empires, no one can defeat the dreaded Longbows 😁

 

On 10/30/2024 at 5:07 AM, Mace said:

I once read about the Mary Rose, an English warship that capsized and sank in 1545.  It had lots of longbows on board.  As late as the 1620's longbow instruction was a part of the English army training. But somewhere after that it disappeared from general use.  I wonder if an English soldier from 1650 would have known how to shoot.  Or 1675.

 

Back in those days they had much heavier bone density and muscle mass. Partly from working in the fields and of course, adaptions from practicing with the longbow from an young age. 

 

Quote

It is clear that there were laws requiring archery practice dating back to at least the 13th century. The motive was to make sure England had enough men trained to use the longbow, which for centuries was a crucial weapon for the English.

https://www.loweringthebar.net/2010/06/do-englishmen-still-have-to-show-up-for-longbow-practice.html

 

The draw weight on those things was extreme, too, believed to be between 300 and 600 Newtons. The technique required is to focus on using your back muscles to draw the bow initially, and then biceps and posterior delts. 

 

 

 

3 hours ago, martin-w said:

Back in those days they had much heavier bone density and muscle mass. 

Hm interesting.  Do you mean the population in general has less bone density and muscle mass today, than vs. 500-600 years ago?   Is that true despite advances in nutrition and availability of food?

Also, I lifted a lot of weights...very carefully and methodically...in my 20's and 30's.  I am somewhat diminished now, but I think I could handle a longbow even today in my 50's.  Are you implying that if I were a chap in the 1300's, I would be even stronger?