What is the origin of the english long bow?
The introduction of the English longbow, also known as the medieval longbow, revolutionized warfare in Western Europe. English longbows came to become the dominant weapon by the medieval period. However, their long and rich history dates back to Wales, not England.Invasion of WalesIn the late 12th century, the English invaded Wales, but met with heavy resistance. The Welsh were well armed, equipped with crude bows that would eventually develop into the longbow. Prior to this, archery played a surprisingly small part in combat. When Welshmen began joining the English army, they brought their skills and archery know-how with them.Archery Gains PopularityBy the late 13th century, King Edward I was convinced that the longbow would give England the upper hand in war. History bore him out on this point, as 1337 brought the “Hundred Years War” with France, ushering in the era of England’s dominance as a military power. English proficiency with the longbow allowed English troops to obliterate
