Longbow : A Social and Military History

This revised and expanded edition chronicles the history of the longbow from the earliest known example used 8000 years ago, through its coming of age at the battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt, to its use as a hunting and sporting weapon, and its present-day status in Britain. The book contains the first authoritative account of the archery equipment found in Henry VIII's warship the Mary Rose; describes the archers themselves, their equipment, training, uniform and terms of service; examines the fact and fiction of the Robin Hood legend, the reasons why the French never took to the weapon and the devastating effect of longbow against longbow in the Wars of the Roses; offers a detailed account of how to make a longbow from scratch, including all the tools and materials required. By the author of "The Great War Bow".