The definitive work on the crossbow, which has always been looked on askance by the English as a continental weapon. Although it certainly never could achieve the rate of fire of the longbow in a trained archer's hands, the crossbow had its merits. However cumbersome and slow to load it was in comparison with the longbow, the crossbow had greater range and penetrating power against armour, and was quicker to master.
This book is a complete description of the crossbow from its introduction to England by the Normans after 1066 through to its use as a sporting weapon in 1903. The crossbow, by its bulk, allowed its makers to embellish the strictly functional aspects of the weapon by adding engravings, inlays, and their own mechanical touches to decorate the weapon.
The author expertly compares the cross- and longbow, and includes comments on the early handgun to complete the picture. He describes how crossbows were made, and the varying styles of bow: from wood bows via composites to the steel bow, and he also describes the auxiliary parts of the weapon. Modern crossbows are also covered, including Belgian target shooting barreled cross bows.
The last part of the book, a treatise on the ancient ballista and catapult, is of interest to anyone studying projectile weapons and sieges. Ballista, catapults, trebuchets and spring guns are described, which naturally leads back to the crossbow and the start of the book. This book is absolutely essential for all who are seriously interested in archery and the history of bows and projectile weapons.