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Crossbow History
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The Battle of Poitiers
Thank you for visiting the Crossbow History Society. We try to provide you with the most complete information we can about archery and crossbows. We update our sources constantly. Please scroll down to learn more.
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Crossbow History and Information
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Literary and physical evidence suggest that the crossbow first appeared in China during the 4th century BC. It wasn't until the 10th or 11th centuries AD that the crossbow became a significant military weapon in Europe. It passed from general military service in the 16th century, but its use for hunting and target shooting has continued to the present day. The most of following chronology is abridged from GUIDE TO THE CROSSBOW by Paterson:
341 BC Earliest reliable record of crossbow use at battle of Ma-Ling in China.
228 BC Earliest crossbow artifact, a bronze lock mechanism from the tomb of Yu Wang.
0-100 AD Heron of Alexandria describes gastraphetes.
300-700 Roman carvings of crossbows.
385 Vegetius mentions crossbows in DE RE MILITARIA.
1066 Crossbows introduced to England by Normans.
1096 Anna Comnena describes Norman crossbows.
1100-1200 Composite crossbow lath appears.
1139 2nd Lateran Council interdict forbids use of crossbow among Christians.
1192 Crusader victory at Jaffa aided by crossbows.
1314 Earliest reliable record of steel lath.
1346 Genoese crossbowmen defeated at Crecy by English longbowmen.
1373 Earliest illustration of cranequin.
1503 First of many English laws restricting possession and use of crossbows.
1550-1600 Firearms replace crossbows in most Weatern armies.
1860 Photographic evidence from China shows repeating crossbows still used there as military weapons.
1939-45 "Arrowspeed" crossbow issued to some Austrailian commandos in Pacific Theatre.
1945-1975 Crossbows employed by Montagnard peoples and US special forces during Vietnam conflict.
1960?-present Crossbows used to shoot anesthetic darts for capturing and treating wildlife; also used to obtain tissue samples from marine animals for obtaining genetic information.
Important Articles and Information about Crossbow History
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Crossbow FAQ
A fabulous site full of marvelous, detailed information about Crossbows
Centenary Archers Club
A marvelous historical article on the development and history of archery from the earliest times. This is a must read for anyone interested in archeryHorsebows
If you really want to know about the importance of the bow in our lives, go to this site of master boyars and read and see for yourself the bows that changed the history of the world as we know it today; we assure you, this is the most important site on archery you will ever read
Journal of Archer Antiquaries
Another must read for archers; the site has 16 erudite articles on bows from the Journal of Archer Antiquaries. There is also a glossary of Archery terms from all over the world and from every age. This site is a must read
Kevin the Fletcher
- Archery articles (arrow making, spine calculation and correction); pictures of leatherwork, links, and book reviews (history of archery, building equipment, crossbowsThe Medieval Period
- Useful information on medieval crossbows and longbowsNational Review: Crossbows and Suicide Bombers
- Jonah Goldberg on calling suicide terrorist acts cowardly
