Longbow

These bows were typically about six feet long and made from yew wood. They were very accurate over distances as long 400 yards, but required great strength to use because of the high force necessary to pull back the bow string to shoot an arrow. Because there was a tradeoff between range and accuracy, longbows were usually used to shoot a barrage of arrows that would rain down on enemy troops from the sky. The longbow was a deciding factor in a number of English victories during the Hundred Years’ War, but began to fall into disuse with the increased use of plate armor that was difficult to penetrate. The advent of guns was the final nail in the longbow’s coffin.

10 Medieval Weapons that Changed the Face of Warfare