Which is stronger, the medieval longbow or the crossbow? Why did the longbow play an active role?
The English longbow, which was active in the 13th century, is over 4 feet long, 6 feet inside, and an effective flight distance of 300 yards (about 274 m), which is a very distant target. I was able to shoot.
However, no one could control the longbow, and it took skill to shoot through the aim.
On the other hand, the crossbow that was active in the 11th century has a short effective flight distance of 60 yards (about 55 meters). If you set the bow and arrow and unlock it, the arrow will fly due to the force of the spring, so no skilled arm is required and relatively anyone can shoot the arrow.
Comparative experiment (1) Short distance
There is a video comparing the power of longbows and crossbows.
The longbow has the power to easily punch out the chainmail (chainmail) that was often worn by medieval warriors.
However, the shiny plate armor (armor made of iron plate) had holes but was bounced off.
On the other hand, the crossbow did not shoot through the plate armor, but it did not bounce off the armor and pierced.
Is a crossbow more powerful than a longbow?
* The screen is blacked out, but you can watch the video properly by clicking it.
Comparative experiment # 2 Change the distance
There was also such a comparative experiment. Comparison with longbow, crossbow, and gun.
At short distances of 20 yards and 40 yards, neither the longbow nor the crossbow can shoot through the armor, but you can aim at the part that is not hidden by the armor.
However, when it is as far as 60 yards, the crossbow will not reach enough distance and will become weak, and the longbow will not hit.
(Both guns are the strongest)
Comparative experiment # ③ Express the power numerically
There is also an example of measuring the power of longbows and crossbows numerically. I summarized the power of medieval longbows and crossbows in a table.
The tension is very strong for the crossbow, but the stroke is longer for the longbow. Therefore, the power (energy) of the arrow does not change much.
tension About 422N About 2000N
Stroke to play About 64 cm About 11 cm
The weight of the arrow 45 grams 60 grams
Arrow speed 44.5m / s 42.4m / s
Arrow energy 45 joules 54 joules
Looking at these, it seems that there is no big difference in the performance of the longbow and the crossbow. So why did the English army defeat the French army in the Hundred Years War with the Longbow?
Comparative experiment part ④ Compare the number of shots.
The longbow is defeated about once every 5 seconds, while the crossbow is defeated only about once every 8 seconds.
On the battlefield, longbows can defeat enemies more and more while taking the time to set the crossbow. In this regard, the longbow was given a boost. Besides, the characteristic of the longbow is that it can hit the target at a very long distance. Even if it doesn't shoot through, if a lot of people hit it like rain at once, they will be able to defeat distant enemies. In other words, for the army of crossbow, arranged Zurarito a soldier with a longbow, if Hanate the endlessly without arrow as Raining toward the enemy away in the distance, than was able to defeat without repel the enemy I think there is
Even if you don't shoot through the armor, you can shoot through the gaps in the armor and defeat the enemy. It can be said that it was a strategic victory that took advantage of the longbow.
* Longbow's success in the Battle of Crécy in 1346
In the Battle of Crécy, a small number of English troops (about 12,000) led by Edward III defeated the French troops (about 30,000-40,000) led by Philip VI .
First, a crossbow unit composed of French Genoese mercenaries fired and the battle began. The English army, on the other hand , was fired by a longbow unit composed of Welsh free peasants. The longbow unit, which has been trained over time since the time of Edward I , has a high degree of skill and has perfectly mastered the longbow, which is more difficult to handle than the crossbow. The longbow beat the crossbow in terms of range by launching upwards with indirect fire. Also, the difference between the crossbow, which can only fire one or two shots per minute, and the longbow, which has 6-10 shots per minute, which is far superior to the rapid fire performance, is clear, and the crossbow unit was defeated severely.