Archery played a critical role in medieval warfare, particularly in England and Wales after the Norman Conquest. The English longbow, renowned for its power, range, and speed, became the defining weapon of English military strategy during pivotal battles like Crecy (1346) and Agincourt (1415). These victories cemented the longbow as a symbol of English martial prowess.

The Longbow’s Role in Society
Archery was not only a battlefield skill but also a civic duty. The 1252 Archery Law introduced by King Henry III required men aged 15 to 60 to be equipped with a bow and arrows, emphasizing the importance of archery for national defence. This law and others like it ensured that large segments of the population were proficient in archery. The longbow required significant strength and training, but it had a higher rate of fire than the crossbow, making it especially valuable in large-scale battles where massed volleys of arrows could overwhelm opponents.

The Unlawful Games Act of 1541
To maintain archery proficiency, King Henry VIII passed the Unlawful Games Act in 1541, banning recreational activities, like gambling, that distracted men from practicing archery. The law underscored the critical role of archers in England’s military and the monarchy's determination to maintain a ready and capable force.

Comparison to Other Weapons
The longbow’s effectiveness on the battlefield was unparalleled for centuries. It required more skill and strength to wield than a crossbow, but in the hands of trained archers, it could fire at a much faster rate. Throughout its use, the longbow caused more battlefield deaths than any other weapon until the advent of modern firearms, including the AK-47. Remarkably, the longbow was still used in warfare as late as D-Day in 1944, when British officer Jack Churchill reportedly made the last recorded kill with a longbow on the Normandy beaches.

Archers’ Equipment
Medieval archers wore protective clothing to safeguard themselves in combat. Their attire often included:

• Padded archer’s jack: a thick, padded garment, sometimes lined with chain mail for extra protection.

• Mail collar: protecting the neck from strikes.

• Leather boots: essential for mobility and protection in rugged terrain.

In addition to their bow and arrows, archers typically carried secondary weapons such as:

• A knife or dagger for close combat.

• A hand axe, which could double as a tool and a weapon.

• A small sword, often used when arrows were expended, or in hand-to-hand combat situations.

This combination of law, skill, and strategy helped make the longbow and its archers a cornerstone of English military dominance during the Middle Ages.