Arbalest

An arbalest is a type of crossbow, typically a large, heavy, and powerful weapon used in medieval Europe. The name derives from Old French arbaleste, from Latin arcuballista, meaning "bow for a bolt."

Design and operation: The arbalest uses a rigid stock and a projectile track that holds a heavy bow stave (the prod), often steel, mounted horizontally. The bolt (or quarrel) is loaded into a groove along the stock and fired by a trigger mechanism. Because the draw weight of the prod is high, cocking was usually aided by mechanical devices such as a windlass or cranequin, and the bow could require considerable time to prepare between shots. Draw weights commonly ranged from roughly 80 to 150 pounds, with larger examples exceeding 150 pounds.

History and use: Arbalests emerged in the High Middle Ages and were valued for their depth of penetration and easier training compared with longbows. They were particularly favored for siege work and for infantry units that needed reliable armor penetration. They were used in various European kingdoms from roughly the 12th through the 15th centuries, though their spread and exact design varied regionally.

Decline and legacy: The arbalest began to decline as firearms and longbows improved in effectiveness during the late medieval period. By the 16th century, crossbows were increasingly seen as less practical in the face of firearm technology, though they remained in some military and hunting contexts and continued to be manufactured for some time.

Modern context: Today, arbalests are studied by historians and reproduced by specialists for demonstration, historical reenactment, and sport. They also appear in fiction and popular media as a symbol of medieval siege warfare.