Medieval Crossbows

An example of a weapon, was developed by several ancient cultures of the world at different times is the crossbow. The ancient Greeks were the first with a man portable crossbows. Such portable crossbows were never very popular with the Greeks and Romans, and it would not be to the medieval, that the weapons would gain widespread use in Europe.

The opposite was the case in ancient China, where the crossbow was the main weapon of the Chinese army at least since the Han Dynasty. Several graves from the 5th and 4th century BC were found in which crossbows. The first major improvement in the Chinese crossbow design came in the 11th century, with the development of the leg. Users have one foot in the stirrup, while makers of blunt end of the crossbow against his chest, making him more influential in creating the arc. Crossbows The advantage was that it is easy to use. In the 13th century, the Chinese crossbows were lethal to 365 meters.

Although crossbows were easy to use, they are difficult to justify. Craftsmen were responsible for the manufacture of complex metal trigger mechanisms. The design of the arches is also required great skill. The arms are made of wood, bone, horn and tendons together for maximum strength and reach. The exterior of the arch has been by animal power, while a layer of animal horn or bone reinforced the inner surface. During the Crusades, Christians learn that the Muslims with arms, as in Central Asia and China, have been much more effective than weapons from wood alone. The Europeans better bow more strength when it began around 1370 as a replacement for their connection with steel crossbows. This steel has a range from 365 to 410 meters.

This increased energy will require a force of more than human effort to do so. Various devices have been invented to assist in the preparation of the statement. This steel crossbows can penetrate armor nearby.