Longbows

From: Andrew Barton <AndrewBarton_at_compuserve.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 11:14:46 -0400

> The longbow was gradually

rejected in favor of the crossbow, after all, since it was much more expensive and time consuming to train a bowman.

Not in England - longbows continued in use until they were replaced by gunpowder weapons. In the Wars of the Roses, you find mercenary crossbowmen but the feudal levies are all 'bill and bow'.

English armies on crusade, though, used crossbowmen. One explanation that seems convincing is that longbows become much less efficient in warm climates.

Andrew Barton

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