Home > Bow Reviews > Roy King Self Yew traditional English Longbow 74#@28"

For an Englishman the sight and feel of a superb piece of Yew worked to perfection by a master conjures up all the history,heritage and heroism that throughout history defined the English Longbowman.

I learned recently that possibly the finest bowyer of the modern age passed away a short time ago before Christmas - Roy Kings' name will be forever associated with the Mary Rose and the Mary Rose trust for whom along with Robert Hardy he was chief advisor. He was renown for the replica bows he produced, I count myself fortunate to own and have shot one of his incredible Self Yew bows.

My review is of my first self yew Traditional English Longbow, It took me 3 years to prize this from the hands of the fellow who had owned it originally, eventually my constant harassment wore him down, well, that and the fact that the bow developed a small crack at the join in the handle, the bow was given to Russell French, bespoke bowyer, who repaired the crack, made a very handsome leather grip for it and placed a rather ugly "bandage" around the wood just below the handle, he assured me it would not affect the performance and would ensure the crack had nowhere to go should it re appear.

Longbow men will eulogise about the merits of Yew and the pure joy of shooting a well crafted Self Yew bow, and not without good reason, I have always found a good one will tend to draw 10# lighter but shoot 10# heavier than its marked weight. This stunning specimen is no exception, you don't often see such straight and tight grain, the workmanship is exemplary and the bow is a delight to hold.

Picking up a Yew bow is always a surprise, the bulk fools you into expecting something heavier, but it's weight and delicacy belie the power lurking within.

A word of warning, should you ever be fortunate enough to come in to the possession of such an outstanding bow it should never be left unsupervised, despite the taboo associated with touching another mans' bow without first asking permission there will always be some halfwit who, overcome by it's dazzling beauty will pick it up and God forbid even attempt to string it - I mention this because that's exactly what happened to this bow just a little while ago - A fool of an archer decided to take a closer look and attempted to string the bow, he succeeded in stamping on the lower horn nock and snapping it entirely - we shall leave the tale now, as it gets ugly from here, suffice to say no friends were made.

I wanted to do the chrono test at the same time as this review but that will have to wait until the nock is repaired. However I can tell you how she shoots. Longbows and hand shock go together like strawberries and cream if there was none it just wouldn't feel right, this bow does produce some shock but not as much as some, on the kicked by a horse scale it would rate as 5/10, however this will subside quite considerably when a proper heavy arrow is used.

In length it is 74" and there is nothing like the chunkiness of a Yew handle. the string is 16 strands of Dacron although I think I should make a linen one which would look  just right with this bow.

I can appreciate the form, shape and lines of a modern bow but there is nothing like a hand crafted Longbow from a piece of fine Yew, not just the beauty of the natural wood nor the curves and smooth lines that a skilled bowyer can tease from the stave, the bow must have life and work with the archer, of all bows, for me, the English Longbow is not just a weapon but a work of art too. despite the broken nock and the ugly bandage the life that Roy breathed into this bow still glows from the wood and just the touch of it inspires awe - What a beauty...

In all probability you will never now get your hands on a genuine Roy King Yew Longbow, so the review is possibly less relevant than most of the others, however in honour of one of the greatest Longbow makers I have ever come across it is only right that his bow takes its rightful place on these pages.

What of the bow?
The bow was made in England:
Of true wood, of yew wood,
The wood of English bows;
So men who are free
Love the old yew tree
And the land where the yew tree grows.

What of the cord?
The cord was made in England:
A rough cord, a tough cord,
A cord that bowmen love;
So we'll drain our jacks
To the English flax
And the land where the hemp was wove.

What of the shaft?
The shaft was cut in England:
A long shaft, a strong shaft,
Barbed and trim and true;
So we'll drink all together
To the gray goose feather
And the land where the gray goose flew.

What of the men?
The men were bred in England:
The bowman--the yeoman--
The lads of dale and fell
Here's to you--and to you;
To the hearts that are true
And the land where the true hearts dwell.

---

Steve Nicholson and Andy Gilfrin, are real archers interested in the best archery suppliers have to offer. In our search for the very best bow, arrows and equipment we have shot, used and worn pretty much everything on offer.

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Essential Details
What : Roy King Self Yew traditional English Longbow 74#@28" Price : Priceless

One of the finest pieces of Yew wood I have ever seen

Skilfully worked to follow the natural growth of the wood..

The addition of the "Russell French" leather grip..............

........................... was the perfect marriage.

The elegant nocks compliment classic curves of an English Longbow.

For an Englishman the sight and feel of a superb piece of Yew worked to perfection by a master conjures up all the history,heritage and heroism that throughout history defined the English Longbowman.

Latest

July 2010 The Mary Rose story comes to life this month, when Steve and Andy went to visit archaeologist Alex Hildred and got our hands on 500 year old long bows (literally). We look at the battle of Vernuiel, Andy visits France on a peace mission and we talk to Sid at Border.


June 2010 Bumper edition this month, a pig in armour, Geoff towers direct from Homildon Hill and a look at the Mary Rose. There is also news of the UK Atlatl championships and all the usual regular items.


May 2010 This month sees the release of yet another Robin Hood film, to celebrate this months magazine is a Robin Hood special. We look at the man behind the legend with a couple of articles about the man and the period that gave rise to him. We also have an article on Little John, not Robin Hoods side kick but John Cately of Little John Arrow, he talks to us about his life in archery and the way he likes to make his arrows. 

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