Crossbow

A powerful mechanical bow that shoots bolts with great force, requiring less training than a longbow and capable of penetrating most armor of its time.

Core metadata

ID: crossbow
Era: Medieval
First known date: 1139 (exact)
Region: Medieval Europe / Lateran Council military context
Review status: source_checked
Maturity: N/A

Prerequisites

Dependents

None.

Fields

None.

Node sources

Military technology - The infantry revolution, c. 1200-1500 (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2026, textbook) • Supports: node
Locator: Britannica describes the crossbow as a powerful medieval infantry weapon and notes its condemnation by the second Lateran Council in 1139, giving a firm medieval terminus ante quem.
Crossbow (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2026, textbook) • Supports: node
Locator: Britannica defines the crossbow mechanism as a bow fixed transversely on a stock with a groove, sear, and trigger, matching the node scope.

Prerequisite edge evidence

Edge/source evidence summary:

Prerequisite edges: 3
Average edge confidence: 68%
Prerequisite sources: 1
expert_inference: 3

Prerequisite	Type	Confidence	Evidence level	Note	Sources
Gastraphetes (Belly-Bow) (gastraphetes_belly_bow)	enabling	68%	expert_inference	Gastraphetes (Belly-Bow) provides a capability that enables this technology without being the only possible path.	No sources recorded.
Classical Monumental Construction (construction)	enabling	68%	expert_inference	Construction provides a capability that enables this technology without being the only possible path.	Overview: Greek Temples (Reed College Greek and Latin Archaeological Museum, 2026, museum) • Supports: edge
Advanced Metallurgy (Medieval) (advanced_metallurgy_medieval)	enabling	68%	expert_inference	Advanced Metallurgy (Medieval) provides a capability that enables this technology without being the only possible path.	No sources recorded.

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