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'''Bows''' were a common weapon in [[Arda]]. Though mainly associated with [[Elves]], all peoples, Good and Evil, were known to used them, most notable of them being the [[ | '''Bows''' ([[Sindarin]]: ''cú'', ''ping'', [[Quenya]]: ''quingar'' or ''cú'') were a common weapon in [[Arda]]. Though mainly associated with [[Elves]], all peoples, Good and Evil, were known to used them, most notable of them being the [[Númenóreans]], [[Rohirrim]], [[Orcs]] and even [[Hobbits]].<ref>[[Anthony Burdge]], [[Jessica Burke]], "Weapons, Named"; in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien Encyclopedia: Scholarship and Critical Assessment]]'' (edited by [[Michael D.C. Drout]])</ref> | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Bows varied in shape, size and material. While | Bows varied in shape, size and material. While [[Elves|elven]] flawless bows were made from wood, [[Númenóreans|Numenorean]] and [[Orcs|Orcish]] bows were made of steel, forged in armories. | ||
==Bows by Faction== | |||
*'''[[Elves]]''' used longbows (in the case of the Elves of Doriath and Lothlórien) which were ,as their name suggests, longer bows and shot farther and higher then any other types of bows. Elves were the first race to develop and master the use of bows, and later passed their knowledge to [[Men]]. | |||
*'''[[Númenóreans]]''', as described in [[Unfinished Tales]], used a type of bow called the '''steelbow''', which was hollow and made of steel, as its name implies. As it is made of steel, one can make a parallel to the medieval arbalest. Like the arbalest, the Numenorian steelbow probably required much strength to pull, and thus perhaps a lower rate of fire. It was much feared by their enemies.<ref>{{HM|UT}}</ref> | |||
* The '''[[Gondor|Gondorian]]''' army contains units of archers who use a longbow. The bows are made of heartwood, about 68 inches tall. The arrows are about 28 inches long with four-inch steel tips. They're accurate up to 200 yards. The longbowmen of the army wear their quiver (the case that holds the arrows) on their hips rather than on their backs like most archers. Bows were aslo the primary weapon of the [[Rangers of Ithilien]]. <ref>{{HM|TT}}</ref> | |||
*'''[[Rohan]]''' included archers in its army. They used shortbows, possibly because they fought mounted on horses. The shortbows were much less powerful than those used by other [[Men]], having a range of only 125 yards. | |||
*'''[[Orcs]]''' used bows for hunting, as well as for a weapon in war. Orcish bows were made of steel, and probably were much heavy and difficult in use. Bows and crossbows were used as a weapon by the fierce [[Uruk-hai]] in the [[Battle of the Hornburg|Battle of Helm's Deep]]. | |||
==Notable bowmen== | ==Notable bowmen== | ||
* [[Beleg Cúthalion]] who bore [[Belthronding]] | * [[Beleg|Beleg Cúthalion]] who bore [[Belthronding]] | ||
* [[Bard | * [[Bard]] who slew the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] with his [[Black Arrow]] | ||
* [[Legolas]], a member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] | * [[Legolas]], a member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] | ||
==Inspirations== | ==Inspirations== | ||
It is possible Tolkien's fascination with bows came from Red Indian stories: | It is possible Tolkien's fascination with bows came from Red Indian stories: | ||
{{quote|Red Indians were better: there were bows and arrows (I had and have a wholly unsatisfied desire to shoot well with a bow)|[[On Fairy- | {{quote|Red Indians were better: there were bows and arrows (I had and have a wholly unsatisfied desire to shoot well with a bow)|[[On Fairy-Stories]]}} | ||
{{quote|But he [Tolkien] liked Red Indian stories and longed to shoot with a bow and arrow.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]}} | {{quote|But he [Tolkien] liked Red Indian stories and longed to shoot with a bow and arrow.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]}} | ||
==Portrayal in adaptations== | |||
'''[[2001]]-[[2003]]: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:''' | |||
:Bows, just like all weapons from the films, were designed during the pre-production by artists like [[Warren Mahy]], with aid from [[Alan Lee]] and [[John Howe]]. The majorty of them were hand-crafted by [[Weta Workshop]] employees.<ref>''[[Weta Workshop (featurette)]]''</ref> | |||
==Gallery== | |||
<gallery> | |||
Image:Numenorean bow.jpg|<small><center>''[[Weta Workshop]]'s Numenorean Bow''</small></center> | |||
Image:Elven bows.jpg|<small><center>''Elven Bow''</small></center> | |||
Image:Orcish bow.jpg|<small><center>''Weta's Orcish Bow''</small></center> | |||
</gallery> | |||
{{references}} | |||
[[Category:Weapons]] | [[Category:Weapons]] | ||
Revision as of 16:48, 10 December 2012
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This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made. |
Bows (Sindarin: cú, ping, Quenya: quingar or cú) were a common weapon in Arda. Though mainly associated with Elves, all peoples, Good and Evil, were known to used them, most notable of them being the Númenóreans, Rohirrim, Orcs and even Hobbits.[1]
Overview
Bows varied in shape, size and material. While elven flawless bows were made from wood, Numenorean and Orcish bows were made of steel, forged in armories.
Bows by Faction
- Elves used longbows (in the case of the Elves of Doriath and Lothlórien) which were ,as their name suggests, longer bows and shot farther and higher then any other types of bows. Elves were the first race to develop and master the use of bows, and later passed their knowledge to Men.
- Númenóreans, as described in Unfinished Tales, used a type of bow called the steelbow, which was hollow and made of steel, as its name implies. As it is made of steel, one can make a parallel to the medieval arbalest. Like the arbalest, the Numenorian steelbow probably required much strength to pull, and thus perhaps a lower rate of fire. It was much feared by their enemies.[2]
- The Gondorian army contains units of archers who use a longbow. The bows are made of heartwood, about 68 inches tall. The arrows are about 28 inches long with four-inch steel tips. They're accurate up to 200 yards. The longbowmen of the army wear their quiver (the case that holds the arrows) on their hips rather than on their backs like most archers. Bows were aslo the primary weapon of the Rangers of Ithilien. [3]
- Rohan included archers in its army. They used shortbows, possibly because they fought mounted on horses. The shortbows were much less powerful than those used by other Men, having a range of only 125 yards.
- Orcs used bows for hunting, as well as for a weapon in war. Orcish bows were made of steel, and probably were much heavy and difficult in use. Bows and crossbows were used as a weapon by the fierce Uruk-hai in the Battle of Helm's Deep.
Notable bowmen
- Beleg Cúthalion who bore Belthronding
- Bard who slew the Dragon Smaug with his Black Arrow
- Legolas, a member of the Fellowship of the Ring
Inspirations
It is possible Tolkien's fascination with bows came from Red Indian stories:
- "Red Indians were better: there were bows and arrows (I had and have a wholly unsatisfied desire to shoot well with a bow)"
- ― On Fairy-Stories
- "But he [Tolkien] liked Red Indian stories and longed to shoot with a bow and arrow."
- ― J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography
Portrayal in adaptations
2001-2003: The Lord of the Rings (film series):
- Bows, just like all weapons from the films, were designed during the pre-production by artists like Warren Mahy, with aid from Alan Lee and John Howe. The majorty of them were hand-crafted by Weta Workshop employees.[4]
Gallery
- Numenorean bow.jpg
Weta Workshop's Numenorean Bow - Elven bows.jpg
Elven Bow - Orcish bow.jpg
Weta's Orcish Bow
