VIDEO: Making a traditional English longbow

If you go down to the woods today… you might think about making an English longbow.

This humble weapon is credited with an English victory over a vastly larger French army some 600 years ago so it’s not to be underestimated.

You can watch Robert Geddes, a professional bowyer demonstrate the process here. You could try making one yourself and then have the fun of testing it out.

Robert shows the entire process however you will see him cut some green branches, then work with elm that had already been roughed out and complete the ‘tillering’ process on well seasoned yew.

Robert has demonstrated at Lost Trade Fairs, however you can hear his ‘artisan insights’ on 22 May, 2024 when he presents at Craft Lab 24 during the Ballarat Heritage Festival. Robert will talk about the Jimmy Possum chair making tradition.

Learn more about Robert Geddes at Instagram @string_on_a_stick and on his Facebook page.