Weapons
Liam H.
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Why were longbows and crossbows needed?
During the Middle ages there were many battles which meant they were mainly focused on the military. To be successful on the battlefield they required ranged weapons like longbows and crossbows.
How were these weapons made?
Specialized craftsmen called bowyers made these longbows. The longbow was made of a single piece of wood, usually yew and was about 6 feet tall (Medieval Britain). Soldiers needed intensive training to be able to use this weapon in battle.
The construction of a crossbow was a labor-intensive process that required a high degree of skill. The wood had to be carefully selected and shaped to create the stock, and the steel had to be tempered to ensure that it was strong enough to withstand the tension of the bowstring (Discover Middle Ages). A crane quin was a mechanical cocking aid which helped make drawing a crossbow much easier than using a longbow. Unlike longbows, to use a crossbow you would need little training.
What impact did ranged weapons have on Medieval Europe?
The longbow and crossbow advanced Europe's warfare tactics. By using crossbows and longbows they could fire into the enemy lines, disrupting their formations.
The image shows a drawing of medieval soldiers aiming their Longbows upward.
What impact did ranged weapons have on later civilizations?
It diminished the dominance of heavy cavalry. Later civilizations used very similar warfare tactics that Medieval Europe used.
What else made ranged weapons so important?
During early Medieval Europe knights dominated the battlefield, but with the use of ranged weapons these knights could be countered.
What else made the longbow and crossbow so important?
“Archery was so important in Medieval Europe that it was written into law. England established the first medieval archery law in 1252, stating that all men 15-60 years of age be trained in archery” (John Moore Museum). Longbows and crossbows countered popular warfare tactics at the time because it could shoot through armor easily (History.com). “In the Battle of Crecy in 1346, longbow archers killed a total of 2000 French soldiers and officials, while the English army lost just 50 fatalities” (John Moore Museum).
Additional links:
Feudalism and Knights in Medieval Europe: This link explains further on how longbows affected the dominance of knights on the battlefield.
Archery in Medieval England: This link explains how the longbows greatly affected major wars like The Hundred Years' War.
Medieval Weapons That Maimed and Killed: Describes other important weapons of the Middle Ages.
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