Hello everyone,
I have recently purchased a bow, arrows, and an armguard from a company with which I am quite pleased. I was especially pleased to add a historicall accurate weapon to my colliction for only $200.00. Although the bow is wuite plain it looks just like those shown in many illustrations of the middle ages. I have shhot in a range and the arrows go where they are supposed to for atleast 85 yards. I am no archer, however. In any case they have a selection of bow height and pull weights. So I just thought I would give them a plug as they have no site, so if anyone is interested please ask. Thanks, Jeremy

Wow! That seems like a great price. Is this a true English longbow? How much are their arrows?

Well, my bow is called a "longbow" but with a 44lb. pull, it cannot be. I know they have different weights but I don't know if any are significant enough to qualify as an English longbow. The arrows are
$40 for six and $75 for twelve. The arrows are not as historically accurate. I have read that a english longbow could reach 300 yards- now THAT is a longbow!

Longbow denotes more a construction style, as opposed to a draw weight, so it is quite possible for you to have a longbow with 44 draw ;) That is an excellent price! I have been looking for a good longbow myself, and if you recommend this bowyer, I would love to get in contact with him!

The Retired Rogue Archery
291 Pleasant Street
East Dorset, VT. 05253
1-800-773-1657

So what is the difference between a true longbow and the other. In my reading it seems to me that an English longbow was a different animal altogether regarding it's extensive range. This extensive range and the French refusal to acknowledge it led to a key French deafeat in around 1358; I cannot remember the name of the battle and am to lazy to look it up.
My understanding was that a longbow may pull at 75lbs. or more. I mean my bow and the others I have seen range form 5.5'-6.6' tall (un-strung). So does draw weight relate to range? Again, I emphasize that I am no archer but very interested in gaining knowledge re: the issue Thanks so much.

If I am not mistaken, most longbows taken to the field by the English had an average pull of about 100# and I do not even have the slightest idea what the draw was.

*wracks brain trying to remember* Well, the original longbows used by the English troops at Crecy and Agincourt had, as Shawn said, a draw (or pull) weight of about 90 - 150#. That gave them a range of about 180 - 200 yrds or more, depending on the arrow. They were about 5 feet tall when braced, and were also made from one solid stave of yew.
The draw weight does indeed effect the range of the arrow, as well as the point of aim. The greater the weight, the longer the range, and the more accurate the arrow. Of course, the weight of the arrow itself also effects the range of flight; heavier arrows tending to travel farther on heavier weight bows than lighter arrows.

I know that in England, for most of the medieval period, it was actually illegal to practice archery at a range of less than 220 yards with a "prick shaft" or flight arrow. I believe the fine was 6 shillings, which would have been substantial for the time. A heavier war arrow, such as a bodkin, was still expected to have an effective range of at least 200 yards. For a 30 inch draw length this requires a pull weight of at least 100 pounds. My general impression is that longbows used during the period of the 100 years war, during which Crecy and Agincourt were fought, probably averaged slightly over 100 pounds draw weight.

Hello James,
This is very interesting. Especially related to the skeletal differences you mentioned. I believe that my conclusion regarding my "longbow" is that it is a replica of no English longbow as the manufacturers claim, but more of a run-of-the-mill bow from the Continent. Which is actually quite fine with me- as I am no expert of the bow. My interest is to have high quality weapons, or the very best that I can obtain, while remaining near the realm of sensible expenditure, and build a somewhat generic collection of representative weapons from the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. I do believe I need to have the afore mentioned bower make me a bow of yew instead of ash or I really can't remember. . .