You've heard the myth: a ragtag band of peasant archers defeating elite knights with rapid-fire volleys of arrows. But what if that’s all wrong? In this episode of The Warfighter Archives, we break down the training, tactics, armor, and battlefield role of the English longbowman—with a modern veteran’s eye for military truth. Learn how these soldiers weren’t just archers—but flexible, capable fighters who won battles not just with the bow, but with sword and axe as well.
0:00 Introduction
0:36 Who Were the Longbowmen?
1:58 Why Serve as an Archer?
4:04 Pay
5:45 Longbow Myths
9:23 English Tactics
12:46 Armor
14:13 Longbowmen As Infantry
16:33 Conclusion
As always, I encourage discussion and debate in the comments section!