The Great Warbow: From Hastings to the Mary Rose

The Great Warbow: From Hastings to the Mary Rose traces the development and impact of the medieval English longbow through archaeological findings and historical records. The book examines evidence from the Mary Rose shipwreck alongside other key sources to understand this weapon's technical capabilities and military applications. Authors Anne Curry and Peter Bartlett combine analysis of battlefield tactics with studies of archer training, bow construction, and arrow design. The text incorporates findings from experimental archaeology, including tests of replica bows and reconstructed medieval arrows. The investigation spans from the Norman Conquest through the Hundred Years' War to the Tudor period, documenting how the longbow shaped English military strategy and society. Key battles and campaigns are analyzed through the lens of archery's evolving role. This comprehensive study reveals how a single weapon type influenced warfare, social structure, and national identity in medieval England. The authors present the longbow as both a technological innovation and a cultural phenomenon that helped define an era.

Readers value this book's technical depth and archaeological research on medieval warbow construction, particularly the analysis of bows recovered from the Mary Rose shipwreck. Multiple reviewers note the comprehensive coverage of arrow types, draw weights, and manufacturing methods. Likes: - Detailed examination of historical records and pay rolls - Clear diagrams and illustrations - Coverage of archery training methods and military organization Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style that some find difficult to follow - Heavy focus on statistical data that can feel overwhelming - Some sections repeat information multiple times Ratings: Goodreads: 4.25/5 (32 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (15 ratings) Amazon US: 4.7/5 (11 ratings) One reviewer on Goodreads called it "the definitive reference work on medieval archery," while an Amazon reviewer noted it's "not for casual readers but invaluable for serious researchers." Several mention consulting it regularly as a reference text for historical martial arts and reenactment.

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🏹 The book extensively examines findings from the Mary Rose wreck, which yielded 137 complete longbows - the largest collection of medieval bows ever discovered in one place. ⚔️ Author Anne Curry is one of Britain's foremost experts on medieval warfare and served as President of the Historical Association from 2008 to 2011. 🎯 The longbows found on the Mary Rose required a draw weight of 100-185 pounds, while modern competitive bows typically only require 45-60 pounds of force. 👑 The book reveals how English kings maintained their supply of bowstaves through laws requiring Venetian merchant ships to bring bowstaves with their cargo as a form of import tax. 🌳 Medieval longbows were primarily made from yew wood, specifically from the sapwood and heartwood boundary, which provided the perfect combination of compression and tension strength.