War Bow
A heavy-draw longbow built for battlefield use
The war bow refers to the heaviest military longbows of medieval England, with draw weights exceeding 150 pounds (68kg+). Made from thicker, stronger yew staves than standard longbows, they could penetrate chainmail and even some plate armor using bodkin-tipped arrows. The extreme draw weight required years of training from childhood, and archers' skeletons show permanent skeletal deformation — spinal curvature, enlarged left arm bones, and deformed right finger joints.
Origin
Developed as heavy military longbows in 13th-15th century England. War bows recovered from the Mary Rose (sunk 1545) measured 100-185 pounds draw weight, confirming their devastating power.
Features
- Draw weight exceeding 150 pounds (68kg+)
- Bodkin arrows capable of penetrating plate armor
- Causes permanent skeletal deformation in archers
- Physical specimens recovered from the Mary Rose (1545)
- Single yew wood stave construction
- Effective range over 200m
Usage
Used for massed volleys of bodkin arrows against heavy cavalry in major field battles. Capable of armor penetration at 100-200m range.