12至17世纪英国弓箭功能的转变

On the Vicissitude of Archery in Medieval England

弓箭以射程远、速度快、杀伤力强等优势成为中世纪英国军队主要武器装备。百年战争中,英格兰长弓大显身手,多次重创法国军队。英国政府因此大力推动射箭运动。16世纪以来,随着社会经济的发展、新火器的应用及贵族价值观念的变化,弓箭的武器功能退化,普通民众远离弓箭,但射箭逐渐转变为精英人士的体育娱乐运动。

The archery was once the main weapon used in Medieval English army because of its advantages of long distance,speed fast and high lethality.The long bow played the great role and severely killed French army for several times in the Hundred Years’War,so the English government has promoted archery vigorously.During the late Middle Ages,the archery has transformed into the recreational activities of the elites with the development of social economy,the application of new firearm and the change of noble values.