Welsh bow

They were documented by Gerald of Wales around 1188, who writes of the bows used by the Welsh men of Gwent: "They are made neither of horn, ash nor yew, but of elm.

"[1] He reported that the bows of Gwent were "stiff and strong, not only for missiles to be shot from a distance, but also for sustaining heavy blows in close quarters.

"[2] He gave examples of the performance of these bows: [I]n the war against the Welsh, one of the men of arms was struck by an arrow shot at him by a Welshman.

It went right through his thigh, high up, where it was protected inside and outside the leg by his iron chausses, and then through the skirt of his leather tunic; next it penetrated that part of the saddle which is called the alva or seat; and finally it lodged in his horse, driving so deep that it killed the animal.

[3][4]The powerful Welsh bow may have later been one influence that inspired the creation of the English longbow.