Longbow: A Social and Military History

by Robert Hardy

Overview

Robert Hardy is famous throughout the world as an actor. Not so widely known is his deep interest in archery and its history. An acknowledged expert on the longbow, he is a Trustee of the Royal Armouries at HM Tower of London, and of the Mary Rose Trust. His meticulously researched book begins by describing the earliest known examples of the longbow, revealing that it was in use worldwide at least 8,000 years ago. With drama, vigour and enthusiasm, he chronicles the arrival of the longbow in Britain, its curious temporary disappearance, its return and gradual adoption as the most important weapon in the English military arsenal, and its coming of age at the battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt.

"Longbow" describes the archers themselves, where they came from, their equipment, training, uniform, way of life and terms of service; the fact and fiction of the Robin Hood legend; the reasons why the French never took to the weapon; the devastating effects of longbow against longbow in the Wars of the Roses; the eventual decline of the bow and Henry VIII's campaign to maintain it. Also examined is the longbow as a sporting and hunting weapon, and its status in Britain today. There is a detailed account of how to make a longbow from scratch, including all the tools and materials required. Another bonus for the enthusiast is an important technical appendix written by three experts on the longbow - Henry Blyth of Reading University, Prof. P. L. Pratt of the Imperial College of Science and Technology, and Peter Jones of the Royal Armaments Research and Development Establishment. The chapter on the Mary Rose has been co-written with Prof. Pratt and Prof J. Levy, also of the Imperial College, and is the result of over ten years of study.

"Longbow", beautifully illustrated in both color and black and white, is a compelling story and a major contribution to the history of archery.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781803998022
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	07/15/2025
Pages:	332
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Robert Hardy is famous for appearing in All Creatures Great and Small and the Harry Potter films. Away from acting, he is an acknowledged expert on archery. He is a Trustee of the Royal Armouries at HM Tower of London and of the Mary Rose Trust and is the author of The Great Warbow (with Matthew Strickland).

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Military Heritage, April 2007

“British actor and archery enthusiast Robert Hardy has penned a comprehensive book dealing with the history of the longbow … Anyone involved in the sport of archery or hunting with a bow should consider getting a copy of Hardy’s book. It could prove invaluable to those individuals already actively involved, as well as budding aficionados just starting out in the sport.”