Crossbows vs. Longbows - Page 11

Sombre · #1 January 23rd, 2009, 12:39 PM

The repeating crossbow was used in ancient china, yes. I don't think any accounts of its effectiveness are available though.

Thierry · #2 January 23rd, 2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sombre

The repeating crossbow was used in ancient china, yes. I don't think any accounts of its effectiveness are available though.

Okay I knew nothing of chinese warfare. After some searsh, it seems crossbow was used at least around 500 BC in china. It lead to various improvings, probably meaning that it was usefull. Interestingly, it seems it was a weapon of choice for close defence. Chinese crossbows seems to have a better 'latch' system, not counting the repeatable ones. That could explain this (you could keep it loaded)

Tien Chin should definitively have crossbows

I seem to remember reading Judge Ti novels that he or his assistants used crossbows. It's also in a french serie on china, but that's a more dubious source ('Ivory Puppet' if it was ever translated in English)

And Ermor / Pythium should have Scorpions or other crossbow like machine of war. Usefull for siege, but maybe for battle too (against elephants ?)

EDIT : Hey there's a book on comparison of crossbow vs long bow !
http://books.google.fr/books?id=xCDK...esult#PPA22,M1

From this very interesting book you learn that the 'long bow reign' ranges from 1298 (Falkirk) to 1550 where hand-gun were far more efficient in warfare. Also it should be noted that various kind of crossbows were used (until hand-guns replaced them also), and that we should compare long bow to steel crossbow, the ones used at the same period.

Aezeal · #3 January 23rd, 2009, 11:56 PM

hmmm Thierry, very nice of you to tell us what we should compare but could you maybe tell us the general conclusion we could deduce from that book too then?

vfb · #4 January 24th, 2009, 05:58 AM

Machingun Fail

Obligatory

JimMorrison · #5 January 24th, 2009, 06:00 AM

I thought everyone wanted Joe to post a lot.

Renojustin · #6 January 24th, 2009, 10:10 AM

Cavalry kills infantry.
Infantry kills bowmen.
Bowmen kill cavalry.

Warsong, for Sega Genesis, rock-paper-scissors system.

Humakty · #7 January 26th, 2009, 09:45 AM

I must say the most powerfull bow in history is not the english (wales in fact) longbow, but the indian one. It was much less precise however, as it was used by an archer lying on his back.

As a french, I must say our noble knights ultimately understood that they needed not to expose themselves to ennemy fire too much, and finaly got rid of the many english tourists that weren't willing to go back to their ill-climated homeland, even after the legal expiration of their visas.

Agema · #8 January 26th, 2009, 12:36 PM

Hey, by percentage battles won of those fought, since the fall of the Roman Empire the French have the most successful military in Europe. A few blips against longbow-wielding English are neither here nor there.

Gregstrom · #9 January 26th, 2009, 12:55 PM

That was Quite Interesting

Agema · #10 January 26th, 2009, 01:13 PM

You find out all sorts of great things watching TV.

The right TV programs, anyway.