← Explore on the interactive map

Welsh Longbow Tradition

Type Object Region Britain Time c. 1240–1250

The Welsh longbow, a yew or elm bow about six feet long, was among the deadliest 13th-century ranged weapons in the British Isles;…

Timeline

  1. c. 1240–1245Northern Wales · GwyneddAcross Wales, longbow shooting was trained from childhood; archers excelled at high-rate volley fire with light equipment. The English crown levied large numbers of Welsh archers into royal armies during border conflicts in Wales.
  2. 1241Legnica · SilesiaDuring the Mongol conquests of 1241, although the Polish–Silesian allied force relied mainly on crossbowmen, Western European longbow tactical ideas had begun to influence Central European mercenary ranged formations, with the British longbow tradition noted as a reference model.
  3. 1250England · EnglandBy around 1250 England had begun incorporating longbow training into the militia arms obligation; the Welsh archer tradition spread into England itself through royal levies and local ordinances, making the longbow core equipment of the British military system.

Sources