How to Use a Medieval Bow

Medieval bows were large weapons up to 7 feet long. Medieval bows were typically fashioned from yew but at times other woods were used such as ash or elm. The bow stave would be dried, then worked into a "D" shaped form and finally coated with resin, fine tallow or wax to protect it from moisture. With draw weights often over 100 lbs. a medieval bow is a challenge to draw and fire. These weapons took years to master.

Instructions

    • 1

      Grasp the center of the bow with your off-hand. Use your left hand to hold the stave if you are right-handed or your right hand to hold the bow if you are left-handed.

    • 2

      Place the arrow on the bow string. The arrow nock, the rear piece with the notch in it, should slide around the string and the shaft of the arrow should rest on your off-hand.

    • 3

      Raise the bow to shoulder height. Grasp the bow string using the index and middle fingers of your dominate hand. Hook your fingers around the bow string, on either side of the nocked arrow to help keep it in place.

    • 4

      Pull the bow string back, drawing it to the corner of your mouth at the same time pushing the bow stave out to arm's length with your off-hand.

    • 5

      Aim the medieval bow. Hold the bow string back and use the tip of the arrow like a post on a gun sight to aim at the target.

    • 6

      Straighten the fingers of your drawing hand and release the string to let the arrow fly.