Windlass crossbow
Ballesta de torno y de acero
- Date
- c. 1200 · confidence medium
- Place
- Genoa, Italy
- Credited to
- Genoese crossbowmen
- Field
- Conflict
What it is
A crossbow with a composite or steel bow spanned by a windlass or cranequin, able to pierce armour at range. It turned poorly trained foot soldiers into a threat to noble cavalry.
The crossbow had already existed in China since the 5th century BCE; the medieval European innovation lay in the spanning mechanism and the steel bow.
What it led to
- mercenary companies of crossbowmen (Genoese) across Europe
- condemnation by the Second Lateran Council (1139) and debate over 'dishonourable' weapons
- an arms race that led to plate armour
Built on
- Gastraphetes (belly bow)c. 399 BCE
- Chinese bronze-trigger crossbow
- Roman crossbow (manuballista)
Made possible
- Full plate armourc. 1400
- Full plate armour