The Medieval Crossbow
Though used throughout Europe during the medieval period, the crossbow was invented long before. Some scholars say it was created in Greece while others argue it had its start in China, however as of yet there is no set consensus. [1] It began it's popularity in Europe during the 11th century as more castles began to be built because the crossbow could easily defend the castles inhabitants without the bowmen having to leave. [2] Crossbows could also be used in battle outside of castles and were used by both Europeans and Saracens during the crusades. [3] Anna Comnena, the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexius, wrote about the events of the first crusade and discusses the use of the crossbow by crusaders calling it "a bow of the barbarians" and "a devilish invention". [4] In fact the weapon was seen as so brutal that in 1139 Pope Innocent II and the Council of Lateran prohibited the use of the crossbow in wars against other Christians. [5] Oddly enough Anna claims that is an invention unknown to Greek people despite more modern claims of Greek invention. [6] This suggests that it was not as commonly used in the Byzantine Empire as it was in the more western areas of Europe.
In the early medieval period crossbows were made of wood usually with a metal lever to help draw it back. [7] From experience with modern versions, pulling back the string of the longbow is fairly easy, it requires some strength but not much considering most of my experience was in middle school. However, pulling back the string, otherwise known as spanning, of a crossbow could be much more difficult than pulling the string of a long bow, partially due to the more awkward angle. [8] During the 12th century the spanning hook was created. [9] The hook was attached to the users belt and used to draw back the bow through the act of them bending over, attaching the hook to the string, and then standing up straight. [10] Bowmen also had to be careful to not overdraw their bows for fear that the wood might crack. [11] In the 14th century spanning was made even easier through the addition of a crank to some crossbows. [12] Another important aspect of the crossbow was the bolts, or the arrows, that were shot. Bolts had to be made in large quantities to keep up with the amount being used. By the 13th century, England's chief bolt maker was allegedly making 25,000 bolts a year, only a fraction of the amount being used. [13]
For a better visual of how crossbows were likely used: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-8DQYLjHJE
The Genoese were considered to be among the best when it came to the crossbow. [14] The men were hired by Genoa and paid however they weren't considered true mercenaries because they only fought under the Genoan flag. [15] The French were also seen as excellent bowmen, though they also employed the services of the Genoese. [16] In fact, when it comes to films depicting the medieval period, it is often the French who are seen with crossbows while the English have long bows. [17] Peter Burkholder has also suggested an association with crossbows and evil characters in medieval themed movies. [18] Though it is unlikely that everyone who wielded a crossbow was actually evil, this notion seems to correlate with Anna's thoughts on the crossbow as well as the Pope's, at least when it came to the weapons use against Christians. [19]
Though the crossbow might not be the first weapon people think of when considering medieval weaponry, it's significance still remains. Because it was a range weapon and could be shot from the relative safety of the top of a castle or simply from further away than a swords distance, the crossbow could have truly devastating effects. This explains why it was so widely used in medieval Europe up until the invention of firearms. [20] Additionally, sources like Anna Comnena tell us that crossbows were important in battles like the crusades, giving us a broader understanding of what the battles may have been like.
Citations:
[1] Vernard Foley, George Palmer, and Werner Soedel, "The Crossbow," Scientific American 252, no. 1 (January 1985): 104, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24967552.
[2] Ibid, 104.
[3] "Medieval Crossbows," The Medieval Combat Society, accessed October 16, 2019, http://www.themcs.org/weaponry/crossbows/crossbows.htm
[4] Anna Comnena, "The Alexiad of Anna Comnena," Medieval Sourcebook, Fordham University, accessed on October 16, 2019, https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/basis/AnnaComnena-Alexiad10.asp
[5] Paul Lacroix, The Arts in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance (New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1964), 79.
[6] Anna Comnena, "The Alexiad of Anna Comnena."
[7] Philip Warner, The Medieval Castle: Life in a Fortress in Peace and War (London: Penguin Books, 2001), 65.
[8] "Medieval Crossbows," The Medieval Combat Society.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Vernard Foley, George Palmer, and Werner Soedel, "The Crossbow."
[12] "Medieval Crossbows," The Medieval Combat Society.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Paul Lacroix, The Arts in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, 85-86.
[15] "Medieval Crossbows," The Medieval Combat Society.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Peter Burkholder, "X Marks the Plot: Crossbows in Medieval Film," Studies in Popular Culture 38, no. 1 (Fall 2015): 30, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44259583.
[18] Ibid, 19-40.
[19] Anna Comnena, "The Alexiad of Anna Comnena."
[20] Vernard Foley, George Palmer, and Werner Soedel, "The Crossbow."
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