Every boy in England was required to learn how to use a longbow, there were no farmers in England that needed to be rapidly trained. It was also a requirement that all men from 15-60 own and use a longbow (practice every week).
When I was a boy, I had a little casio musical keyboard. With no training whatsoever, I could press a button and piano music would play. A real piano would be an upgrade.
Which is why crossbows were better. An hour with a thousand farmers and you’ve got an army.
Takes years of practice and strength training to handle an English longbow.
Every boy in England was required to learn how to use a longbow, there were no farmers in England that needed to be rapidly trained. It was also a requirement that all men from 15-60 own and use a longbow (practice every week).
It was enforced for like 500 years.
America: You have the right to bear arms
England: I better see you bearing arms or you’re in trouble
The longbow was the upgrade. Better in battle.
When I was a boy, I had a little casio musical keyboard. With no training whatsoever, I could press a button and piano music would play. A real piano would be an upgrade.
They were like the fighter pilots of their day