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Bow (Name of one of the most)

the name of one of the most ancient and universal weapons of offense, It is made of steel, wood, horn, or other elastic substance. The figure of the bow is nearly the same in all countries.

The ancient Grecian bow was somewhat in the form of the letter E: in drawing it, the hand was brought back to the the right breast, and not to the ear. The Scythian bow was nearly semicircular. The long bow was the favorite national weapon in England. The battles of Crecy (1346), Poictiers (1356), and Agincourt (1415) were won by this weapon. It was made of yew, ash, etc., of the height of the archer, or about six feet long, the arrow being usually half the length of the bow.

The arbalist, or cross bow, was a popular weapon with the Italians, and was introduced into England in the 13th century.