Basic Medieval Crossbow

Basic Medieval Crossbow

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Iron bow

Medieval crossbow

Historically, crossbows played a significant role in the warfare of East Asia since the 4th century B.C., as well as Europe and the Mediterranean. Today, they are used primarily for target shooting and hunting.

A crossbow is a weapon consisting of a bow mounted on a stock that shoots projectiles, often called bolts or quarrels. The medieval crossbow was called by many names, most of which derived from the word ballista, a torsion engine resembling a crossbow in appearance.

The medieval Knight was the most powerful and effective warrior and said to be worth 10 foot soldiers, who were regarded with the lowest esteem and considered expendable. The crossbow could be used by an untrained soldier to injure or kill a knight in plate armour. The crossbow, itself, was therefore viewed as an inhuman weapon which required no skill and had no honour. It was even banned by the Pope! The Crossbow was, however, a very useful weapon which could be used by the young, the old and the infirm! The crossbow was used throughout the Middle Ages. Richard the Lionheart's army had both crossbows and longbows. King Richard died as a result of gangrene after being shot by a crossbow bolt at Chalus-Charbrol near Limousin, France, on 26 March 1199. The threat of Mercenaries flooding England from the continent, willing to fight for the highest bidder, led to one of the clauses in the Magna Carta (1215) seeking to banish all foreign crossbowmen. All attempts to apply a weapon ban on crossbows failed and all such requests were ignored.

Crossbow was also favourite wepon of Hussite warriors. Hussite crossbowmen protected by wagoons were deadly enemies of medieval knights.

Medieval crossbows. Medieval weapons.