England's reliance on the longbow dated back to earlier centuries, with the weapon becoming a symbol of English military prowess during the Hundred Years' War. By the time of Agincourt, archery had been institutionalized in English society through laws and customs.

Statutes and Archery Training

From the 13th century onwards, English monarchs issued statutes mandating the practice of archery among the male population. The 1363 Statute of Winchester, for instance, required all males aged 7 to 60 to possess bows and practice archery regularly. This widespread archery culture ensured a steady pool of skilled archers.

Manufacturing Arrows: An Industry in Itself

The arrows themselves were produced by specialized craftsmen called fletchers, who made shafts, attached feathers (fletchings), and fitted arrowheads. Arrowheads varied in design depending on purpose, including bodkin points designed to penetrate armor.

Arrow production required raw materials: wood (often ash or hazel for shafts), feathers (commonly from geese), and metal for arrowheads. This demanded a supply chain and financing, particularly when preparing for a major campaign. shutdown123