The arbalest (also arblast) was a late variation of the
medieval European crossbow. A larger
weapon, the arbalest had a
steel prod ("bow"). Since an arbalest was much larger than earlier
crossbows, and because of the greater
tensile strength of
steel, it had a greater force. The strongest windlass-pulled arbalests could have up to 22
kN (5000
lbf) strength and be accurate up to 500 m. A skilled arbalestier (arblaster) could shoot two
bolts per minute. Arbalests were sometimes considered inhumane or unfair weapons, since an inexperienced crossbowman could use one to kill a
knight who had a lifetime of training.
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A crossbowman or wielder of a
arbalest . During the 14th century they generally wore a
mail hauberk to defend the body, a
bascinet to defend the head, sometimes with a
collarette of
iron to defend the throat. Almost always a footman, the crossbowman sometimes wore a
surcoat bearing the livery of affiliation. During the 15th century the hauberk was generally replaced with a
brigandine and the use of a
pavaise , a head-to-tow shield, was often brought out as a semi-portable defense that the man could hide behind as he reloaded so that he would not be cut down by arrows, other crossbow bolts, or by charging horsemen.
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