How to Make an English Longbow

Longbows used during war

The English Bow is a gigantic bow used in hunting and warfare. Made of yew and often more than 6 feet long, the English longbow was instrumental in the Hundred Years War. English longbowmen readily faced off against heavily armored knights. The longbow is armed with a thirty inch arrow that is capable of piercing heavy armor. It is quick to re-load and can be used with basic knowledge.

Things You'll Need

• Yew stave about 2 inches thick Bowstring Oak or Ash sticks 1/8 inch thick and 30 inches long Goose or turkey feathers

Instructions

1. Cut a yew stave to use as your English Longbow. The stave must be matched to the size of the user. A bow should be long enough that, when bent, the bowstring can reach back to the archer's ear. This produces an English longbow anywhere from 5 1/2 feet to 6 1/2 feet in length. Select a stave that is flat on one side and rounded on the other.

2. Take the yew stave and slowly bend it into the shape of a "D." The inner side of the "D" is the rounded side of the wood. Soak the stave in water or steam it. Bend it a little at a time, but not too far. Repeat the process until the desired shape is achieved. This may take some time. The difference in the curvature of the two surfaces will ensure that the bow springs back when pulled.

3. Make two cuts, or nocks, near each end of the bow. The nocks are the slits that hold the bowstring. String the bow by tying the ends of the bowstring to the two nocks. Bowstring can be natural string or synthetic fiber. The important thing is that is must be able to snap back sharply into place when pulled. When at rest, the bowstring should be completely taut.

4. Collect oak or ash sticks to use as arrow shafts. These sticks should be rounded and perfectly smooth. Strip off the bark and remove any projections. Cut small nocks, or slits, along about 9 inches of the base. Attach feathers, or fletching, to the nocks. Screw an arrowhead down onto the other end. You can also sharpen the end with a knife and char it in a fire. The charring hardens the point. This is not traditional for an English Longbow, but will save you the trouble of finding or making an arrowhead.

Tips & Warnings

• Steam the yew wood by using a garment steamer, kettle, or pot of boiling water.

• Do not aim the bow at any person or fragile object. The English Longbow is a very powerful and dangerous weapon.

Resources

• Medieval Collectibles longbows
• Custom made yew longbows
• Longbow Society Organization