Why didn't the rest of Europe adopt the English longbow?

There isn't anything inherently English about the longbow, it's a simple self bow, the design of which has remained largely unchanged in Europe throughout the Middle Ages. read more

There isn’t anything inherently English about the longbow, it’s a simple self bow, the design of which has remained largely unchanged in Europe throughout the Middle Ages. The English were the first to realize the tactical potential of using massed archery combined with dismounted men-at-arms. read more

It should therefore not be hard to figure out why virtually all feudal rulers in continental Europe decided to stick with the crossbow instead of adopting the English/Welsh longbow. The more interesting question would be why the English were so fond of the longbow and did not adopt the crossbow like the rest of medieval Europe. read more

1- England is a rather unique case in European history. In most of Europe, the conquering tribes assimilated, rather than conquered. read more