I heard that the Saxon Longbow at close range could kill 3 people at the same time. Is this true?

Question

The Sheiff of Nottingham, Guy of Guisborne, the Dark Knight were all ''killed'' by Robin Hood last night. Only they were not dead. They had breast-plates which protected them from his arrows.

Answer 1

The bow used in the program is a Mongolian horse bow with no real penetration , if there had been such a person he would have used a longbow with armour piercing bodkin points and the bows poundage would have been about 150lbs no armour in them days could withstand it , longbows were the great leveller of the day which put the ordinary peasant on a par with a knight (they hated it)

Answer 2

Load of old bosh I think. The longbow wasn't a Saxon weapon anyway (though there is some dispute about the old idea of the short bow vs the longbow). The idea that Robin was some sort of Saxon hero fighting against the Normans didn't come along till the 18th century.

Answer 3

I do not know about Robin Hood but I do know that a cross ow can developer a tremendous amount of power. That is if it was designed and built to do so.

It quite likely could go through three unprotected people that were standing in a line close together. I rather doubt if people will just stand there and see if it is true.

Some cross bows have just as much power as a high powered rifle. They are a very effective weapon.

Answer 4

Robin used throwing knives not a bow last night, but to answer your question, a saxon long bow was about 6 foot tall and was very powerful.

During agencourt, the welsh bowman using similar longbows were known to be able to pin a rider to his horse by firing the arrow into the air and letting gravity increase its power. On this principle yes it should be possible

Answer 5

No. I quote -

At 100 yards, a small arrowhead similar in profile to a barbed hunting arrow is used. The close range means that the power behind the arrows is incredible. These heads cause the arrow to spin like a drill in flight. If they hit unarmoured targets, they twist themselves through liveries, jacks, skin and flesh - knotting the fibres and sinews as they go - around the barbs. If you're lucky, it might hit an arm and carry through to the other side. If unlucky, this medieval equivalent of a soft-head bullet will cause horrific injury, and it's power is likely to knock you off your feet. The power of the bodkin is now such that is will probably penetrate straight through you, and hit the person behind. If luck is still with you, your armour may deflect the bodkin, but at this range if it hits anything, the chances are it will have enough power to take you out of the battle through injury.

Answer 6

That's a movie, they use artistic liscense.

However, if you were really close and had them all standing in a line, and shot them all between the ribs, it could be possible. Tell you what send this question off to brainiac and they can set up the experiment for you. Alternatively, get 3 manic depressives and we can go to Nottingham and try it out, wait, better get a few more, we'll want to try it a couple of times, just in case our aim is off.

Answer 7

The first battle that the longbow was used in to devastating effect was the battle of Crecy 26th Aug 1346 see..http://www.longbow-archers.com/historycrecy.htm
It was said that at 300yards a longbow man could pin a knight to his horse through his armour, him and the saddle.

Answer 8

3 at the same time? I doubt it. You'd have a ballista then. And I'm pretty sure the longbow could get through a breastplate.

Answer 9

I thought the longbow was a welsh weapon. Edward the first had welsh longbow men.

Answer 10

Not sure of the time frame but the villagers of England (men) had to practise at the Butts or be punished not sure what the punishment was