Howdy, gang.  I've been asked by the local school district to do a series of presentations for the middle school on traditional archery/bowyery, particularly as it pertains to England during the Middle Ages.  I'd like to make a demonstration tool that (safely!!) replicates what it takes to drawn an English war bow.  Obviously, several kids would be needed to "draw the bow".  I thought I'd pick the collective brain here on the Bowyer's Bench and see what y'all come up with.  Thanks in advance for the help!

a rope with a water ski type handle, going over one pulley to a 100# weight- sort of a tiller tree in reverse.
at least if they let go, nothing gets broken.
make then assume the proper stance- and "draw" past their ear.
for more than one "archer, a longer rope and a series of pull handles in  a line., or maybe a bunch of spider lines  with pull handles coming out from one central shackle/ring.
just a quick thought      

Something to hold the bow secure, then a heavy rope or cable connected to a winch that you can crank, just like one that pulls a boat up on a trailer. Even place a heavy scale in the pull line to read the pulling weight.

I think they took care of that  

Thanks, gent.  

Leaf spring back to a pulley, with some stretch type cord like para or something,so if they let go there isn't much recoil. Could even use a couple bits of pressure pipe as a plunger for a fake arrow knock, the resistant air pressure will let the spring "bow" down slow and gently.

I think they've got it. I might use a extension coil spring instead of a weight just because it's going to weigh 100# less to move around and there might be less risk of injury by eliminating a suspended 100# mass.