Arbalest

The Arbalest (also called Arbalst ) was used in the late Middle Ages model of the crossbow.

Description and Use

This crossbow was a slightly larger version of the wooden crossbow already used in the early Middle Ages, with the difference that in the Arbalest of the actual arch was made ​​of steel. This has allowed these accelerate with a force of up to 5000 N during firing of the crossbow bolt. Due to a newly developed loading mechanism could also be loaded faster than other crossbow models, an experienced marksman could shoot with the Arbalest 2 bolts per minute. Often this weapon was loaded in the safe behind a Paveseschild.

History

The Arbalest was developed in the 12th century in Central Europe. It proved to be in the defense of the city of Byzantium to be very efficient. The Arbalest was mainly used by the troops in Italy. In the 15th and 16th centuries it suffered the same fate as many other crossbows too, she was of the emerging small arms ( hand tube, arquebus, musket ) displaced.