English longbowmen in Lion Rampant

[Sondergaard]

Had a thought about representing English longbowmen in LR.
The current option of making them Expert and giving them a better hit value doesn’t do it for me as it does not represent the longbowman’s ability to engage in melee.
I think the the yeomen with mixed weapons option does a better job. Less range but you still get 12 shots and a better melee ability. As LR does not represent massed battles but skirmishes the loss of the range is not a big deal. Perhaps get the 6″ back for a point?
Any comments?

Not in the face!

[Norm S]

I am not familiar with LR rules – but I have always seen bowmen as troops that should avoid melee whenever possible.

[Sondergaard]

The point is though that English longbowmen did get into melee and were expected to once the melee was joined. It’s what makes them stand out from most other pre-gunpowder missile troops.

Not in the face!

[Author]

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