Both Mongol recurves bow and English war bow had been a piece of fantastic war equipment. Was Mongol recurve bow more potent or the English war bow? It has become a hot topic of debate. So let’s dig in to clear some of the confusion.
What was a Mongol Recurve Bow?
A Mongol recurve bow is one kind of bow that comes in a curve shape. It is a composite bow containing numerous materials with a laminated version altogether. Mongol bow consists of the core wood with belly generally being horn and the black sinew. The layers which attached with the glue from animals. There was an advantage of having the glued layers. The glue had water solubility to protect the coverings from sun, rain, moisture, humidity, water, etc. It was beneficial for the preservation and maintenance of the Mongol bow.
Origin of the Mongolian Recurve Bow:
The primary purpose behind the Mongolian recurve bow was for warfare and protection. Mongols of ancient Asia invented it as their lifehack, especially for hunting. The old version of the bow weighted from eighty to one hundred fifty pounds or more. At that time, soldiers on horses used to carry two bow types; one for the longer distance and shorter ones. They had almost fifty arrows with them as it was the most considerate and valuable weapon. The tempered steel breadheads of the arrows pierced the opponent’s armor.
What was a War Bow?
War bow was relatively easy to bent uniformly with the grip of your hand. But it would not have an excellent handgrip. It goes well with its name.
What was the English longbow? Were English Longbow and War Bow the same?
The English longbow was a forceful gothic type of longbow. That war bow was trendy for the battlefield. A longbow needs to be that long, allowing its consumer to draw the string to the point on the face or body. So the length can vary from user to user. Generally, it was about 6ft or 1.8 meters. The English and Welsh started to use it for hunting and warfare. It had a bow stave, string, and arrows. The fancied material to create a longbow was yew, ash, elm, and other woods. There was a say of Gerald of Wales, “They are made from neither horn, ash nor yew but of elm; ugly unfinished looking weapons, but astonishingly stiff, large and strong, and equally capable of use for long or short shooting.”
History of English Longbow:
Every great thing holds a great history. But there are lots of contradictions about the origin of the English longbow. Military archery played great importance in pre-Norman Conquest Anglo-Saxon warfare. The Anglo-normans created their history by winning at the Battle of Standard in 1138. Despite having arguments about the inventions, it had been a competent armament system in the late 13th and early 14th centuries.
The Differences Between the Mongol Bow and the English Longbow:
The different qualities and characteristics can make a lot of difference in the Mongol bow and English longbow. So let’s enlighten yourself with all the pinpoints of making the differences.
Why is the Mongol recurve bow more potent than the English War Bow?
The Mongol recurve bow was more potent than the English war bow. Some reasons made Mongol bow more powerful. Let’s acknowledge ourselves with all the essential things;-
- Manufacture and substance:
Mongol bow consisted of numerous materials that have lots of functions. It was the combination of wood, sinew, and horn attached with the fish bladder glue. It had been so much reflexive and spontaneous. It was convenient to unstrung as it had a curve in the opposite direction. The length and its construction were different from the modern ones. Because of structural differences, the Mongol bow was more effective than the English longbow. The materials and ingredients were on purpose to make it productive.
Differently, the English longbow did not contain multiple materials like the Mongolian bow. The limbs of it gather and release energy less efficiently. They usually need so much intensity and speed to conquer the inertia of their limbs.
- Weight:
Mongol recurve bow was lighter than the English longbow. Soldiers used to carry it everywhere as it was light-weighted. English longbow is heavier because of its heavy armor-piercing arrows. It was more convenient to have a longbow on my feet. The English bowmen of the hundred years’ war fought with it against France.
- Maintenance:
The maintenance of the Mongol bows was relatively easy. As the parts of it glued together, it had better protection. The water-soluble glue was a savior in maintaining the functions and preservation. English longbow is hard to maintain because it does not contain any glue. So a single piece of wood is not enough for protection. It can get damaged and scratches so easily.
- Uses:
The uses and functions can vary due to the materials and structure. Mongolian bow had a significant usage in hunting, war, and self-protection.
English longbow had been famous among the military archers. It is quite challenging to master. Thus the professionals used to do hunting and warfares.
- Energy:
A composite Mongol bow could quickly lose its speed and energy level if you left them unstrung for a long time. It needed a lot of time to store energy before a shot. On the other hand, the English longbow didn’t require that much time to store energy. They were way speedy than the Mongol recurve bow. They were easy to handle.
- Labour:
We came to know that Mongol recurves bow made out of various elements. So it required a long time to make it properly. People had to work very hard to turn out a curved Mongolian war bow. It was a necessity at that time, and they intended to do it.
English longbow was much easier to make considering to Mongol bow. The makers used to make them with a little labor.
Finally, considering all the noted points, we can say that Mongol’s bow was more powerful and efficient than the English war bow. these reasons and qualities justified the opinion about these two bows.
After knowing all the differences and reasons, you can have a conclusion about these two bows. Despite having different qualities, they were useful in their way. Both of these bows were not modern types. They belonged to the ancient necessary weapon.