Through a remarkable command of manuscript and printed sources and a judicious use of material evidence, including his own important collection of rare longbows, Hugh Soar establishes the deep connections of the longbow to England, Scotland, and Wales. Figures in the past like William Wallace, Edward III, and Henry V appear alongside detailed descriptions of bows, strings, arrows, and arrowheads, while the rise of institutions and craftsmen devoted to the longbow are presented to show how knowledge of this weapon was carried forward across the centuries. Today, those in the sport of archery and military historians will find that The Crooked Stick will enhance their own interests in a weapon of legendary status.

In addition to the illustrated text, the book contains appendices detailing the history and design of bracers, tabs and tips, quivers, and arrowheads associated with the longbow.

About the Author

Hugh David Hewitt Soar is a leading specialist on traditional archery, including the history, design, and use of the longbow. He is the author of Of Bowmen and Battles and is a regular contributor to archery magazines and journals throughout the world. Hugh Soar founded the Craft Guild of Traditional Bowyers and Fletchers in 1987 and is a member of the Royal Toxophilite Society and the British Long-Bow Society of which he was General Secretary for eleven years. His expertise is regularly sought by television and other media and his collection of more than 240 bows and other artifacts is among the finest in the world.