5. The Wells Longbowmen were the most feared soldiers of 13th century Europe and helped the English Army to victory in a number of historic battles
In 12th and 13th century Europe, perhaps no soldier was feared more than English longbowman. And, above all, the Wells Longbowmen, named after the small cathedral city in the west of England, was the most feared of all. While they may sometimes have been recruited from the peasantry, they were supremely well-drilled and disciplined. They were also incredibly good at their job – so good, in fact, that they are credited with being the decisive factor in several major battles.
In Medieval England, peasants were often required by law to practice their archery skills once a week. Nobles would also be handy with a bow, honing their skills on target ranges and on hunting excursions. So, when the Hundred Years War broke out, the King was able to draw on a large number of skilled bowmen. The best of these were hired on full-time contracts, including the Wells Longbowmen. Being a bowman was soon seen as having a proper profession. And, once the English Army was sent to France, the bowmen were suitably rewarded for their extra work, earning more than all the other soldiers.
It’s believed that the Wells Longbowmen, being the best in the English Army, could shoot an arrow with enough power to penetrate the chain mail armor of an enemy soldier stood some 300 meters away. The English put this to good use. Their historic victories at Crecy and Poitiers were largely thanks to the bowmen. But the Wells Longbowmen’s finest hour came at the Battle of Agincourt in October 1415. There, a force of 9,000 English soldiers commanded by King Henry V defeated 30,000 French soldiers. At the end of that famous day, as many as 10,000 enemy troops lay dead, many of them killed by the longbowmen, with just 400 English troops have lost their lives.