WEAPONS THAT MADE BRITAIN

PROGRAMME 2: THE LONGBOW

ACTIVITIES

Guidance

This programme is useful not only in teaching students about the longbow, but also as an illustration of how a battle unfolds. Using Crecy as the example, students can explore the role of tactics, terrain, resources, experience, bravery and luck in determining the outcome of any battle. It will also be a useful programme for students who are studying the Hundred Years War in general.

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General activities

Alongside the programme students could:

• Draw a plan of the English and French troops at Crecy
• Compare Crecy with other battles in the Hundred Years War
• Produce a timeline of the Hundred Years War using the internet or text books for information
• Find out how and where crossbows were made
• Produce a sketch map of the route taken by the English in the run-up to the Battle of Crecy
• Make sketches of longbows and crossbows based on photographs found on the internet
• Write a letter from an archer to his wife describing what he has been doing.

Programme-related activities

• The following tasks can be undertaken individually or in pairs
• Usually one copy of each worksheet is needed per student
• Encourage whole-class discussion and feedback after each activity.

Task 1: Science helps history
Students need to watch section 05.30 – 09.07 and 27.40 – 33.27.

Download activity sheet [Word document, 44KB]

Task 2: What happened at Crecy?
Students need to watch the whole programme.

Download activity sheet [Word document, 36KB]

Task 3: Know your commands!
Students need to watch section 15.00 – 18.54.

Download activity sheet [Word document, 40KB]

Task 4: Test your knowledge
Students need to watch the whole programme.

Download activity sheet [Word document, 44KB]