Guest Author - Alena K Shumway

Bows and Arrows have been used in most cultures around the world at one time in their history. Bows were first developed in most cultures for hunting game, however they were quickly used for a different type of prey: people. Most cultures that developed the bow and arrow used it in warfare as a very effective weapon.

The bow is one of the first ranged weapons, meaning you do not have to get up close to your target. Spears are older but will only go as far and are only as powerful as the arm that throws them. Bows and arrow were used most often in cultures that did not yet have access to gunpowder. The oldest known bow was found in a cave in Denmark. Scientists determined that it was10,000 years old.

A famous type of bow is the English longbow. The English longbow is very tall and thin. It is made out of a single solid piece if wood, usually yew, though sometimes made of ash or elm. The English longbow does not have a handle or an arrow rest in the middle of the bow, archers used a finger to balance the arrow. The bow is tipped with horn for ease of stringing, and to resist wear. Though sometimes strung with sinew, English longbows were most often strung with waxed hemp.

The design for the longbow was perfected by the Welsh in the 12th century but the English made it famous in war, especially when attacking the French and other continental enemies during the 14th and 15th century.

Like so many other medieval marvels of warfare, the bow and arrow were eventually retired from military service with the introduction of black powder weapons and effective artillery.