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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 [[Numenoreans]], [[Rohirrim]], [[Orcs]] and even [[Hobbits]].
[[File:John Howe - Elven Bow.jpg|frame|[[John Howe]] - ''Elven Bow'']]
'''Bows''' were a common weapon in [[Arda]]. All peoples, Good and Evil, were known to have used them, most notable of them being the [[Elves]], 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 Elven flawless bows were made from wood, [[Numenoreans|Numenorean]] and [[Orcs|Orcish]] bows were made of steel, forged in armories.
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.{{fact}} It is said in a poem that [[Eärendil]] wielded a bow "made of dragon-horn".<ref>{{FR|Earendil}}</ref>
==Bows by Faction==
==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]].
*'''[[Elves]]''' of [[Doriath]] and [[Lothlórien]] used longbows which were, as their name suggests, longer bows which could shoot farther and higher than 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.
*'''[[Númenóreans]]''' used a type of bow called the steelbow, which was hollow and made of steel, as its name implies. It was much feared by their enemies.<ref>{{HM|UT}}</ref>
 
* The '''[[Gondorians|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 also the primary weapon of the [[Rangers of Ithilien]].<ref>{{HM|TT}}</ref>
 
*'''[[Rohirrim]]''' archers 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.
 
*'''[[Hobbits]]''' also used bows. Hobbit archers fought for [[Arnor]] in the [[Battle of Fornost]]<ref>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>, and also participated in the [[Battle of Bywater]].<ref>{{RK|Scouring}}</ref>
 
*'''[[Orcs]]''' used bows for hunting, as well as weapons of war. Orcish bows were made of steel, and thus were likely heavy and difficult to 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]].


* 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]].
==Notable bowmen==
==Notable bowmen==
* [[Beleg Cúthalion]] who bore [[Belthronding]]
* [[Beleg|Beleg Cúthalion]] who bore [[Belthronding]]
* [[Bard I|Bard the Bowman]] who slew the [[Dragon]] [[Smaug]] with his [[Black Arrow]]
* [[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]]
* The [[Númenóreans|Men of Númenor]] who's hollow steel bows had a fell reputation
 
==In other languages==
*[[Quenya]]: ''quinga''
*[[Sindarin]]/[[Noldorin]]: ''ping'', ''cú''
*[[Nandorin]]: ''cogn''
 
The forms ''quinga'', ''ping'' are cognates deriving from the [[Primitive Quendian]] ''kwingā''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry KWIG (in that source the first word is spelled ''qinga'', and the second is [[Noldorin]].</ref>
 
The form ''cogn'', is derived from [[Primitive Quendian]] ''kuȝnā'', itself representing the [[root]] KUȜ.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry KUȜ, p. 365</ref>


==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-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-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>
==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of bows|Images of bows]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Inspirations]]

Revision as of 10:47, 5 December 2016

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
John Howe - Elven Bow

Bows were a common weapon in Arda. All peoples, Good and Evil, were known to have used them, most notable of them being the Elves, 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.[source?] It is said in a poem that Eärendil wielded a bow "made of dragon-horn".[2]

Bows by Faction

  • Elves of Doriath and Lothlórien used longbows which were, as their name suggests, longer bows which could shoot farther and higher than 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 used a type of bow called the steelbow, which was hollow and made of steel, as its name implies. It was much feared by their enemies.[3]
  • 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 also the primary weapon of the Rangers of Ithilien.[4]
  • Rohirrim archers 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 weapons of war. Orcish bows were made of steel, and thus were likely heavy and difficult to use. Bows and crossbows were used as a weapon by the fierce Uruk-hai in the Battle of Helm's Deep.

Notable bowmen

In other languages

The forms quinga, ping are cognates deriving from the Primitive Quendian kwingā.[7]

The form cogn, is derived from Primitive Quendian kuȝnā, itself representing the root KUȜ.[8]

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.[9]

See also

References