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The medieval crossbow was the answer to the skill of an archer. In a fraction of the time a man could be trained to be proficient on the crossbow, as opposed to generations to make a man able to wield the yew warbow.
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00:00 I HATE English Longbowmen
01:14 Crossbow fundamentals
04:42 Welcome back Dash!
05:13 Ballistics testing
06:15 Roasting my cameraman
08:18 Shooting in full armor?
11:08 brigandine armor test
15:44 Arrows and bolts
18:45 Crossbow history
21:38 Speed test\
25:11 More history
26:07 Final thoughts
The medieval crossbow is a revolutionary weapon that changed the landscape of warfare. The crossbow, with its origins tracing back to ancient China, made its way to Europe by the 10th century and quickly became a formidable force on the battlefield. Unlike traditional bows, the crossbow required less physical strength to operate, allowing even the less skilled soldiers to wield it effectively. Its mechanism, consisting of a horizontal bow mounted on a stock, and a trigger system, provided unprecedented power and accuracy, making it a preferred choice among medieval armies.
The crossbow’s impact on medieval warfare is best illustrated through its use in significant battles. One of the most notable instances was during the Battle of Hastings in 1066, where Norman forces used crossbows to devastating effect against the Anglo-Saxon army. Later, during the Crusades, the crossbow became a weapon of choice for both European and Muslim forces, altering the dynamics of sieges and open-field battles alike. The weapon's ability to penetrate armor at a distance made it a game-changer, allowing armies to challenge heavily armored knights with relative ease. Its role in these battles highlights the crossbow’s crucial influence in shaping military tactics and outcomes during the medieval period.
The crossbow often invites comparison with the English warbow, another iconic weapon of the era. While both weapons were pivotal in medieval warfare, they had distinct differences. The English warbow, commonly known as the longbow, required significant training and physical strength to draw and shoot effectively. It boasted a higher rate of fire compared to the crossbow, with skilled archers able to release several arrows per minute. However, the crossbow offered superior accuracy and required less training to master. Additionally, the crossbow's mechanical advantage allowed it to launch bolts with tremendous force, capable of piercing armor that longbow arrows might not penetrate. This fundamental difference in usage and accessibility marked the unique advantages and drawbacks of each weapon on the battlefield.
Despite its advantages, the medieval crossbow eventually fell out of favor. Several factors contributed to its decline. The advent of more powerful firearms and cannons in the late medieval period rendered many traditional siege weapons, including the crossbow, less effective. Firearms could be operated by even less skilled soldiers and had a much greater range and penetrating power. Additionally, the crossbow's slow rate of fire compared to emerging firearms made it less desirable. As gunpowder technology advanced, the crossbow's prominence in military arsenals dwindled, marking the end of its reign as a dominant force in medieval warfare. Join us as we explore these transitions and the eventual obsolescence of the crossbow, closing a significant chapter in the history of medieval weaponry.