Longbow: Anatomy, History, and How to Shoot

A longbow is a bow characterized by its length, narrow width, and gentle curves. Traditionally made from a single piece of wood — typically yew, ash, or elm — it can measure up to six feet in length. That simple, self-contained construction is a defining feature that separates it from more complex modern designs.

Parts of a Longbow

Understanding longbow anatomy starts with four core components:

• Upper limb — the curved section above the grip that stores and releases energy.
• Lower limb — the mirrored section below the grip.
• Bowstring — connects both limbs and propels the arrow. The distance from the deepest part of the bow grip to the string is called the brace height, and it is a key tuning measurement for any longbow.
• Grip — the section the archer holds during the shot.

Brace Height and Tiller

Brace height (historically called fistmele) directly affects how a longbow shoots. A higher brace height generally increases forgiveness on release and reduces vibration, while a lower setting can add arrow velocity at the cost of noise and bow stress.

Tiller is a separate concept worth understanding: it refers to the relative bend or curvature between the upper and lower limbs when the bow is drawn, not a physical location on the bow. A bow is said to have "positive tiller" when the upper limb bends slightly less than the lower limb — a common setup that helps balance the bow at full draw because most archers grip below the bow's geometric center.

A Brief History of the Longbow

Longbows appear across cultures worldwide, but are most closely associated with the English longbow of the Middle Ages. It played a decisive role in engagements such as the Battle of Crécy and the Battle of Agincourt. By the 16th century it had faded as a military weapon, yet it endured as a hunting tool and sporting bow. Today, traditional archers often favor longbows over compound designs for their connection to archery's roots.

Shooting a Longbow

Shooting a longbow demands consistent form. The archer stands feet shoulder-width apart, holds the bow with the non-dominant hand, and draws the string back with the dominant hand to the corner of the mouth or chin. Back muscles do significant work on the draw — a challenge for beginners. Accuracy requires accounting for variables like wind and weather that affect arrow flight.

Longbow vs. Other Traditional Bows

Longbows trade the speed and mechanical advantage of modern archery bows for a simpler, lightweight design that is easy to carry in varied outdoor settings. Compared to a traditional recurve bow, the longbow has less limb curvature and a narrower profile. A related design, the flat bow, shares similar origins but features wider, flatter limbs. For bowstring sizing, the AMO length standard applies to longbows just as it does to recurves.