The Medieval Crossbow: A Weapon Fit to Kill a King
The crossbow is an iconic weapon of the Middle Ages and, alongside the longbow, one of the most effective ranged weapons of the pre-gunpowder era. Unfortunately, despite its general fame it has been decades since an in-depth history of the medieval crossbow has been published, which is why Stuart Ellis-Gorman’s detailed, accessible, and highly illustrated study is so valuable.

The Medieval Crossbow approaches the history of the crossbow from two directions. The first is a technical study of the design and construction of the medieval crossbow, the many different kinds of crossbows used during the Middle Ages, and finally a consideration of the relationship between crossbows and art.

The second half of the book explores the history of the crossbow, from its origins in ancient China to its decline in sixteenth-century Europe. Along the way it explores the challenges in deciphering the crossbow’s early medieval history as well as its prominence in warfare and sport shooting in the High and Later Middle Ages.

This fascinating book brings together the work of a wide range of accomplished crossbow scholars and incorporates the author’s own original research to create an account of the medieval crossbow that will appeal to anyone looking to gain an insight into one of the most important weapons of the Middle Ages.
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The Medieval Crossbow: A Weapon Fit to Kill a King
The crossbow is an iconic weapon of the Middle Ages and, alongside the longbow, one of the most effective ranged weapons of the pre-gunpowder era. Unfortunately, despite its general fame it has been decades since an in-depth history of the medieval crossbow has been published, which is why Stuart Ellis-Gorman’s detailed, accessible, and highly illustrated study is so valuable.

The Medieval Crossbow approaches the history of the crossbow from two directions. The first is a technical study of the design and construction of the medieval crossbow, the many different kinds of crossbows used during the Middle Ages, and finally a consideration of the relationship between crossbows and art.

The second half of the book explores the history of the crossbow, from its origins in ancient China to its decline in sixteenth-century Europe. Along the way it explores the challenges in deciphering the crossbow’s early medieval history as well as its prominence in warfare and sport shooting in the High and Later Middle Ages.

This fascinating book brings together the work of a wide range of accomplished crossbow scholars and incorporates the author’s own original research to create an account of the medieval crossbow that will appeal to anyone looking to gain an insight into one of the most important weapons of the Middle Ages.
37.95 In Stock
The Medieval Crossbow: A Weapon Fit to Kill a King

The Medieval Crossbow: A Weapon Fit to Kill a King

by Stuart Ellis-Gorman
The Medieval Crossbow: A Weapon Fit to Kill a King

The Medieval Crossbow: A Weapon Fit to Kill a King

by Stuart Ellis-Gorman

Hardcover

$37.95 
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Overview

The crossbow is an iconic weapon of the Middle Ages and, alongside the longbow, one of the most effective ranged weapons of the pre-gunpowder era. Unfortunately, despite its general fame it has been decades since an in-depth history of the medieval crossbow has been published, which is why Stuart Ellis-Gorman’s detailed, accessible, and highly illustrated study is so valuable.

The Medieval Crossbow approaches the history of the crossbow from two directions. The first is a technical study of the design and construction of the medieval crossbow, the many different kinds of crossbows used during the Middle Ages, and finally a consideration of the relationship between crossbows and art.

The second half of the book explores the history of the crossbow, from its origins in ancient China to its decline in sixteenth-century Europe. Along the way it explores the challenges in deciphering the crossbow’s early medieval history as well as its prominence in warfare and sport shooting in the High and Later Middle Ages.

This fascinating book brings together the work of a wide range of accomplished crossbow scholars and incorporates the author’s own original research to create an account of the medieval crossbow that will appeal to anyone looking to gain an insight into one of the most important weapons of the Middle Ages.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781526789532
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 08/12/2022
Pages: 224
Sales rank: 1,000,740
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

Colour Plates x

Acknowledgements xi

Introduction 1

Part I The Crossbow - A Technical Study

1 What is a Crossbow? 9

2 Types of Crossbow 33

3 The Crossbow in Art 47

Part II The Crossbow-A History

4 The Origins of the Crossbow 69

5 The Crossbow in the High Middle Ages 79

6 The Crossbow in Late Medieval Warfare 103

7 The Sporting Crossbow 137

8 The Legacy of the Crossbow 151

Conclusion 167

Appendix: On Historiography 171

Notes 179

Bibliography 195

Index 205

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