Longbows

From prehistory bows were used to hunt game, indeed in some countries they are still used.

However, in England, where the longbow was such an important weapon of the armies of the Middle Ages, its use was restricted to the noble classes.

Ordinary people, who were required by law to practise in its use for war, were strictly forbidden to hunt with it.


To read PDF documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you do not currently have it installed you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader here.

Scary Horned Helmet

Search our collection

Special Operations Executive - A Celebration

As part of its month of remembrance, the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the film ‘Carve her Name with Pride’.

22 November

Click for more information

Did you know?

The first Luger pistol

The very first Luger pistol manufactured at the Erfurt factory in Germany is in the Royal Armouries collection.

Register for our newsletter

Sign up to the Royal Armouries newsletter to receive the latest news and updates from the Royal Armouries.