English Yew Warbow
English Yew Warbow — authentic single-piece yew self-bow defined by the Mary Rose Trust (1545 assemblage). Length: 1,839–2,113 mm (6–7 ft). Draw weight: 65–175 lbs. Delivery time: 12–18 months.
The English Yew Warbow specification is sourced directly from the 1545 assemblage of Henry VIII’s warship Mary Rose, recovered by the Mary Rose Trust. This represents the only precisely dated, intact historical archery assemblage in existence, including 172 complete longbows, over 2,000 arrows, leather wristguards stamped with the arms of Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon, and hemp/linen bowstrings.
Construction & Material Science
Every authentic English Yew Warbow is shaped from a single continuous stave of yew (a self-bow), meticulously crafted to harness the natural junction between the sapwood and heartwood:
- Sapwood Back: The flexible outer layer of sapwood forms the back of the bow, storing tension upon draw.
- Heartwood Belly: The dense, unyielding inner heartwood forms the belly of the bow, resisting compression.
- No Composite Layers: Unlike horn-sinew composite bows, the yew warbow is built from one piece of wood without laminated layers or glue.
Mary Rose Trust Historical Metrics
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | English Yew Warbow |
| Bow Type | Single-piece Yew Self Bow |
| Historical Length | 1,839 mm – 2,113 mm (6 ft to 6 ft 11 in) |
| Cross-Section Profile | D-shaped profile (~35mm wide × 33mm deep at centre) |
| Draw Weight Range | 65–175 lbs (peak draw weight ~110 lbs) |
| Limb & Tip Geometry | Straight profile along length with simple horn nocks (no recurve or hooked tips) |
| Associated Arrows | Poplar wood shafts (715–845mm), 28–30 inch draw length, goose/swan feather flights |
| String Type | Hemp / Linen / Dacron string |
| Delivery Time | 12–18 months (natural yew seasoning) |
Custom Build Options
Wood Selection: Hand-crafted strictly from high-grade European yew (Taxus baccata) staves exhibiting dense growth rings for maximum elastic performance.
Note: Former generic stock photos showing short recurved composite bows in grass have been withdrawn. The reference standard strictly enforces the tall, straight, single-piece D-section yew warbow geometry proven by the Mary Rose Trust.
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