The English Longbow 1485-1595 Volume 2

The sequel to The English Longbow, this second volume completes the history of English military archery. It investigates the final century of the bow as the most important weapon in the English army, reaching its apogee under Henry VIII before facing and fading in the face of the challenge posed by the new firearms. It explains the capability and changing tactics applied to the longbow as the century progressed and explains how and why the English army finally abandoned it. These volumes will appeal to all those with an interest in the history of tactics and weaponry as well as those modern archers who would like to find out more about the illustrious history of the bow. The Tudor Longbow is based on the author's wide-reaching research of original source material that has produced many peer-reviewed articles on Tudor archery completed over the past 30 years. AUTHOR: Jonathan Davies was a scholar of Sidney Sussex College Cambridge where he read history, before progressing to a career in teaching. He has spent the last forty years mostly teaching medieval and Tudor history as well as leading a medieval/Tudor reenactment group. He has written extensively on a wide range of historical subjects both civilian and military, including a book on the navy in the reign of Henry VIII. He has extensive first-hand experience in the handling of weapons from slings to swords, pikes to trebuchets and bronze cannons to crossbows. His latest project involved the design and casting of an octagonal bronze cannon barrel fitted with a matching field carriage, for his reenactment group. He has written about, conducted workshops and lectured on the understanding of the past through practical experience. He has followed the route of the First Crusade in an ancient ex-ambulance and has most recently completed a Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela on foot. He brings a lifetime of practical and academic experience to the subject, providing new insights into a topic which has often been little regarded. 25 b/w illustrations, 25 b/w photos, 12 colour illustrations, 12 colour photos, 5 b/w maps, 10 figures, 20 tables