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England entered the Middle Ages abruptly when the island of Britain was swiftly conquered by Duke William of Normandy. From these Norman roots, the English kings-such as Henry II, Richard the Lion-Hearted, Edward I and Henry V-devoured Wales and fought repeated wars in Scotland, Ireland, and France most of all.
England's position as an island nation both protected and isolated it. Since Norman times, the English had little fear of foreign invaders, but they lacked the riches in trade and resources of their continental neighbors.
The Welsh longbowman was the symbol of English might. These yeomen trained from youth to handle the longbow and were considered the most skilled in the land. A company could fire a "rain of steel" capable of causing grievous wounds to those it fell upon. It was such longbowmen who were responsible for the English victories of Crecy, Poitiers, and Agincourt.
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