Crossbow
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A crossbow is a ranged weapon using an elastic launching device consisting of a bow-like assembly called a prod, mounted horizontally on a main frame called a tiller, which is hand-held in a similar f
A typical crossbow
Qin and Western Han dynasty crossbow trigger pieces.
16th century crossbow nut excavated at Harburger Schloßstraße, Hamburg-Harburg, Germany
Battle scene depicting a man spanning a crossbow using a winch mechanism, possibly mounted on a frame, Han dynasty
English longbow
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The English longbow was a powerful medieval type of bow, about 6 ft long. While it is debated whether it originated in England or in Wales from the Welsh bow, by the 14th century the longbow was being
Crossbow
…and enable their effective use by less familiarised and trained personnel compared to the training and practice necessary to become proficient with the English longbow or the bows of steppe nomads. These advantages for the crossbow are somewhat offset by the longer time needed to reload a crossbow for further shots…
Self-yew English longbow, 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) long , 470 N (105 lbf) draw force.
A late 15th century illustration of the Battle of Crécy. English longbowmen figure prominently in the foreground on the right, where they are driving away Italian mercenary crossbowmen.
Self (bottom) and laminated (top) bows for comparison
Archers at the Battle of Poitiers, 1356