Maritime military archery : Bowmen on European warships, 1000–1600

There is a considerable research gap in both maritime and military history concerning the naval use of bowmen. For over three millennia—spanning from the ancient Egyptians until around the year AD 1600—archery was a key component in maritime combat. This essay highlights the importance, flexibility, and impact of naval archery with special attention given to European waters in the late Middle Ages and the early modern period.