Effects of the Longbow on Warfare

Long range missile warfare was upon us. The innovation of the long bow drastically improved warfare by introducing long range combat, changing military assault and defence tactics, recruitment training and weapon development, which led the English to become the most feared army in the 14th and 15th century.

The longbow was the greatest military discovery in the 13th century. Derived from the standard bow and arrow made from Yew, Ash and Elm trees, the six foot long bow had the capability of firing 3 foot arrows at ranges of up to 400 yards, making these bows the first effective long range military weapon (Books LLC, 8). The longbow was originally used against the English by natives from Wales known as the Welsh (Captain Anton, 2004). Once the weapons potential was revealed, the English quickly put the bow into operation as a standard military requirement in the late 13th century. The English longbow played a dominant role in the Hundred Years War against the French proclaiming several victories. A new age began where weaponry and military tactics weighed heavier than sheer numbers.

The longbow enhanced combat by generating more protection with less risk of casualty. English military tactics were changed to incorporate heavy usage of longbowmen, resulting in an unstoppable force securing numerous victories in the beginning of the hundred years feud against the French. The Battle of Crecy in 1346, The Battle of Poiters in 1356, and The Battle of Agincourt in 1415 (Anton, 2004) all ended in English victory due to their strategic use of longbowmen. The longbow made it possible to defeat armies that severely outnumbered their own. A knight on horseback, formerly considered the English's deadliest adversary, could now be killed with ease from within 200 yards. The most impressive showing was in year 1346 during the battle of Crecy in northern France where the author stated "...after 16 charges and 90 minutes, the French had lost 4,000 knights, including 2 Kings, 2 Dukes, and 3 Counts" (Anton, 2004), while attempting to advance on English archer fields. A mere 50 English men were killed, introducing the end of traditional hand to hand combat.

A new breed of soldier arose, altering recruitment and training requirements. England would implement new laws enforcing recruits to train with longbows until having mastered the weapons full potential. Archers were considered an elite infantry with years of training and experience (Books LLC, 23), our modern day Navy Seal. The monarch motivated their citizens by administering a fine to whomever missed a training session usually held every Sunday (Books LLC, 38). English armies were now comprised of over 80 percent archers against the French's high number of mounted knights. The French attempted to adopt the idea of long range missile warfare