Genoese Crossbowmen: What Were They REALLY Like?

[@richardreisenbuk2350]

I love how metatron gets more and more armored throughout the video

[@odd-ysseusdoesstuff6347]

The next thing you know he would’ve fielded an army.

[@maz1702]

Like a real life video game, keeps upgrading throughout the video

[@jus_sanguinis]

Yes.

[@MrAaaaazzzzz00009999]

every video is an excuse to take photos of himself in armor.

[@Definitely_Not_Sheev_Palpatine]

Well obviously. He keeps leveling up his speech skill, so it makes sense that he would level up throughout the course of the video.

[@emperordemetrius3832]

Spamming these guys as Milan in Total War is beautiful

[@trentoskivich4211]

Absolute nightmare for me as Venice

[@Dewfie]

Mount & Blade Warband too The Rhodoks are satisfying

[@Balinux]

@@Dewfie Dude get Bannerlord now!

[@jimmy5391]

Long live King Graveth!

[@perrytran9504]

Spamming them in AoE2, not so beautiful or effective sadly.

[@FairZack93]

As a Genoese, I enjoyed this video. However, I noticed some inaccuracies: the Genoese crossbowmen were recruited in the republic of Genoa (not in Milan). Not all northern Italians identified with the term "Genoese", for example the Venetians were well known. There is a historical reenactment group, called Compagnia Balestrieri del Mandraccio, which is also involved in researching this topic.

[@TheFeanor74]

Could Anna Komnena be talking about a bigger version of a crossbow used as a siege weapon? In this case her description sounds much more plausible to me.

[@johnheath128]

Perhaps a balista type of machine?

[@DCdabest]

Yeah it sounds like she is describing what we commonly call "scorpions" or some other kind of fixed weapon?

[@icarian553]

@@DCdabest Romans and Byzantines used scorpio. It doesn't fit a weapon that was unknown to them. And the description Anna gives on how it is used, is clearly a crossbow.

[@Intranetusa]

Anna Komnena could be talking about different types of crossbows (personnel crossbows to siege/field artillery crossbows). She also seems to be talking about a longer powerstroke crossbows that resembles the ancient East Asian crossbows of the Qin and Han Dynasty. She even states that the crossbowman lays on their back to draw the crossbow with their legs - similar to how heavier East Asian crossbows are drawn as portrayed in Qin and Han Dynasty artwork (statues, paintings, murals, etc).

[@AGermanFencer]

Probably not, since (in the complete text) the spanning method she mentions is stepping on it with both feet and (by one soldier) its spanned with the shooter lying on his back.

[@SledgeOfHouseHammer]

7:30 He also banned the use of regular bows as well. It wasn't that the crossbow was particularly dangerous. It was more like "if you have to kill people, go do it to those heathens out of the east." And as you said, the ban was pretty much ignored.

[@dukefanshawe6815]

Just like weapon bans are ignored today 😄

[@robinderoos1166]

@@dukefanshawe6815 depends, criminals ignore any rules anyway, but it also depends if the decree was ordered by the right authority. The pope may have wielded much power, but could rarely overrule sovereign law if not directly related to faith. So why listen to him?

[@muninrob]

@@robinderoos1166 So that the church states of the era don't have an excuse to come to your city state "in the name of the church" to "root out those heretics". (The church had armed might at the time, and MANY city states willing to do their bidding to earn the favor of the Pope.)

[@Intranetusa]

@@dukefanshawe6815 Depends on the country. Weapon bans don't really work in countries such as Mexico, but works very well in countries such as Japan.

[@colbunkmust]

@@muninrob The authority of the Papacy was in flux for much of the medieval period and it is wrong to assume that the Vatican held such a guarantee of military retribution. Many popes were forced to yield to stronger factions and put the Vatican's political aspirations on hold and many times anti-popes fractured the Catholic world's allegiances. Haphazardly declaring war against various noble families of Europe would be disastrous. While the Catholic Church did have a lot of authority during the middle ages it could not afford to act with impunity against anyone it wanted to. Examples of blatant conflict towards the Vatican with no so called "in the name of the church" consequences: Italian Normans sacking Rome and defeating Papal forces multiple times during the 11th century, Frederick I of HRE forcing the pope to recognize his authority as equal to the Papacy by way of an invasion into Italy, Frederick II of HRE being excommunicated multiple times and yet became arguably the most powerful European monarch of the Middle Ages and successfully repelled all Papal attempts to oust him from power, even at one point being crowned King of Jerusalem. Other examples of conflict with the church that temporarily destabilized the Churches authority: Avignon Papacy of 1309-1376 Over a dozen other antipopes in the medieval period between the 11th and 15th centuries Hussite Wars

[@thebigone6969]

This is why the Metatron is a true legend! Even when his girlfriend is visiting he still finds time to drop knowledge on us! He’s the greatest clapper of historical cheeks in world history! The best!!! Thanks Metatron!!!

[@KenzieScarlett]

Your the actual best! 😂

[@thebigone6969]

@Kenzie Scarlett I wish! But the Metatron is still numero uno!!!!

[@sagagis]

She is present at the background if you didn't notice. 3:39

[@KenzieScarlett]

@@sagagis I ammmmmm!! 😂 👋🏻👋🏻

[@thebigone6969]

@Kenzie Scarlett You’re also at 9:26! That’s awesome!!!

[@ns987]

For me, as a citizen of the former USSR, Genoese crossbowmen evoke associations primarily with the Crimea. There were several Italian colonies there, they also fought as part of the army of the Crimean Tatars, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, less often Russian princes. Of course, engineers and gunners from Italy have become much more famous here, for example, the construction of the Moscow Kremlin, but a lot is also known about crossbowmen. Although, even today, a certain number of ethnic Italians live in Crimea.

[@joshyaks]

12:01: "The Genoese crossbowmen were a defensive ranged unit." The battle of Crécy showed the sort of disaster that would result if they left their pavises behind and charged forward in the vanguard (and in the rain!).

[@neutronalchemist3241]

At Jaffa, in 1192, Richard used them (by far his most numerous unit) like Edoard III used the archers at Crecy. The result had been the destruction of Saladin's cavalry, that outnumbered the Christians 4 to 1. To know your troops is paramount.

[@michaeltelson9798]

The English yeomen archers at Crecy were not a professional unit, but through required weekly training were able to lay down consistent masses of arrows to an area. Which made obtaining them more reliable when a levee was called and replaceable. The too quick attack by the French upon the prepared English position at Crecy left the Genoese in a bad spot being unable to retrieve their pavises before the battle. Wet bow strings on their crossbows was stated as a possible secondary factor. English Bowman were used for indirect fire contrary to the direct fire of crossbowmen. More like mortar fire for an area effect without the explosive effect.

[@azem4026]

They're actually really nice people once you get to know them

[@hebl47]

Except for Frank. Frank's a total asshole.

[@damianthebeholder6775]

@@hebl47 yeah Frank will put a bolt in ya for looking at him wrong

[@Otmjv]

@@hebl47 *Francesco

[@cyrilgigee4630]

@@Otmjv Nah they picked Frank up in England, that's why he's such an ass. They'd send him back there if they could.

[@KenzieScarlett]

Love the video babes! ❤️❤️

[@AGermanFencer]

Raf did a great job realizing the script as always indeed :) Glad you like it. Was a joy to write too. And together with the pencil-drawing guy we make up a pretty smashing team under rafs supervision i feel :D

[@georgethompson1460]

In catalan I know at least in the Aragonese-Angevin wars that the catalans had a fearsome reputation as ship-board crossbowmen, they were said to make each part of the crossbow themselves and carry a repairkit at all time. Thus it was said that all darts they fired hit their mark.

[@zucchinipanini2590]

6:45 you see no pauldrons, and then they magically appear at 7:32, I hadn’t noticed the pattern until I rewinded

[@zinaida3833]

I love how Kenzie was just in the background the whole time, you guys are so cute :)

[@LeftJoystick]

okay

[@Darmoth85]

One of my favorite units from Total War: Medieval 2!!! :3

[@Bartek2750]

Meanwhile for me the most hated because of how good they are against my heavily armored units

[@kreganf]

I think that princess may have been talking about a ballista or such, but does refer to it being like a crossbow. That also makes more sense when you look at it like that.

[@dandyrevisionist7879]

Best route in middle ages was: Genovese mercenary, then upgrade to: Genovese merchant.

[@tacitozetticci9308]

META

[@lordofthefury2322]

Nice editing! Coming from Genoa, and being an historical reenactor these types of subject always intrest me a lot. Also i got to admit i was surprised at 1:42, the footage you showed comes from the historical reenactment of the Castle of Brescia Siege, where i live now, and i was there although not in the screen, was one of the infantry men laying down pretending to be dead, later blessed on the verge of "death" by the priest

[@RexusprimeIX]

9:34 This image makes me want to see some kind of medieval movie where we follow a Genoese Crossbowman, and we see him in this situation, crouching inside his shield while reloading and we see arrows just streaking past him and his companions, some arrows striking through his shield, inches from his face.

[@thomaszaccone3960]

Some of those shields are reminiscent of a scutum. I remember seeing blueprints in a book of mine on building a crossbow using a midget auto spring. Always wanted to build a Medieval Crossbow. They were used in hunting and shooting matches in Germany. I read that the idea of rifling a gun barrel came from twisted fletching on crossbow bolts used to stabilize flight. Also other crossbow innovations like sett triggers were incorporated into early rifles. I wonder what crossbowmen used as a front sight??

[@ErickeTR]

Dude, I was just preparing lunch whilst going through your channel thinking "Man, when will Metatron release that Genoese crossbowmen video he talks about again and again?"... and here it is, finally.

[@nox3834]

I am just here to wave back at Kenzie 👋

[@jarongreen5480]

Thank you so much, Metatron, and all the noble ones of this community for making my dreams come true and sharing my book. This video was very informative, it's no secret that I know more about archers and longbows than I know about Crossbowmen. But in my next book we're going to be seeing more crossbows (Since the story moves to the mainland and we see different cultures) and it's great to know more details on their pros and cons as well as how they are deployed on the battlefield. Again thank you so much Metatron for everything you've done. You are a legend.

[@gawkthimm6030]

One advantage I think is important in regards to crossbows is how fast you can train someone to do it. You would likely have different classes of Crossbowmen units, some much more elite than others, I could easily see a citizen militia trained on crossbows to defend their city walls being much more cost effective than training them in archery.

[@debilita9999]

When Metatron mentions your homeland Bohemia.... and you already know that your guys were inferior (kinda) and then he confirms why Genoese Crossbowmen were more prominent. Me: Sheds a tear and makes me smile :)

[@debilita9999]

@Fishy Vagina Yes we do... well that's kinda our thing. Historicla/Immersive/fantasy realism. Itsk inda Slavic thing. Just by looking thoruhg all slavic game studios. Y'know You've got Arma, Witcher, Kingdom come, Manor lords and more. And justo to be clear I was saying it in a joke not trying to whine or something. Afterall you can always find solace in knowledge that your country was surrounded by enemies on all sides, had Deus Vult declared on it and managed to win against all just to be devoured by inner conflict. Meaning, yeah - the enemies couldnt conquer us and only when we weekend ourselves they were willing to negotiate and not fight. Hillarious, man you gotta love Hussites + we had a frickin' medieval wooden TANKS! So don't worry. All is good.

[@VojislavMoranic]

@@debilita9999 I honestly think thats a Slavic fetish. When beset from all sides and beyond your mind with doubt. Declare a civil war, run in circles and shout. Love from Serbia bro.

[@waaghghazghkull6362]

@@VojislavMoranic Its very much a Slavic fetish _Looks at the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth_

[@gordonlekfors2708]

**injects you with your daily incel medication** shhh mate, time to be quiet

[@gawayne1374]

12:00 casually watching the Met.. holy crap he's suddenly in full plate!!

[@nickdarr7328]

Genoese crossbowmen are good because they get an attack bonus against cavalry. I just wish the elite upgrade wasn't so expensive

[@leoprzytuac3660]

Dude, the teamwork that you and Knigh Of Art are doing is pure gold, keep it up!

[@metatronyt]

Thank you!

[@fbvrc]

Here in Portugal, during the XIV and up to the XV centuries we also had a body of crossbowmen called "Besteiros do Conto". By decree of the king, every municipality was required to be able to provide X amount of crossbowmen to the service of crown. Additionally, many of these particular crossbowmen were often mounted units as well.

[@miloszpawlowski8645]

Same for Poland. Really, the majority of European countries were "crossbow countries"

[@janosmarta8258]

When will you armor your lovely girlfriend, like Jean D'Arc? Anyway the hussite warriors had the same pavises and crossbows I think.

[@johntheknight3062]

Yes, battle crossbows were used behind cover either of pavises or war wagons in Bohemia.

[@budahbaba7856]

Janos, that was certainly an interesting moment in warfare, where dire-arms, crossbows, pole-arms etc were all used along side each other. And the Hussites were unbeatable in that style of warfare, until they turned their weapons on each other, each deciding that the other was not pious enough. Fire arm technology changed too, and eventually the wagons did not provide the same defensive value that they had in the past. But it was brilliant the way the Hussites employed the skills and equipment they already had as simple farmers and made a fighting force that was an absolute bane to the heavily geared knights and men at arms.

[@LeonidasSparta-Fun-History]

Crossbows are a very interesting invention. Even though they have some pros over bows, I still like shooting bows much more.

[@linkofvev]

I thought Spartans saw bows as a cowards weapon?

[@markhorton3994]

With fully trained archers longbows are superior. Fully training a longbowman takes many years. A crossbowman takes only months or even weeks to be effective. A crossbow stays cocked until used. A short crossbow bolt is less powerful than an arrow at any given draw weight but with mechanical assistance a crossbow can have much higher draw weight. Unless you are England or Wales or have access to English or Welsh mercenaries stick to crossbows.

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

@@markhorton3994 then why were elite crossbowmen more common in europe than elite bowmen? and why were they the elite in italy where they have both the materials to make longbows, the government control to force everyman to train with crossbows (and thus bows)? Its because crossbows are better than bows in most situations, even the english used proffessional crossbowmen for sieges (which are far more common than field battles) edit: the idea the bow is the superior choice is an English myth. more nations used crossbows as elite for longer, the exception is mounted bowmen but even then the germans and spainish (and even italians and english) liked professional elite mounted crossbowmen and only got rid of them due to gunpowder.

[@LeonidasSparta-Fun-History]

@@linkofvev yes, but I personally like shooting bows more

[@ktheterkuceder6825]

@@matthiuskoenig3378 Because sometimes it is easier and cheaper. Plus it takes years fo longbowmen to become full pro. Wars don't kindly wait that long.

[@nikortm18]

Oh this is great. I’m Genoese, greetings Raffaele!!!!

[@pavelstaravoitau7106]

This was a nice video, very informative, I was pretty curious about these guys. On a somewhat related note, apparently, some Russian historians when talking about the battle of Kulikovo where Russians fought against Tatars of the Golden Horde, mention that the khan, Mamai, had hired Genoese infantry, though whether it actually participated in the battle - I have no idea, and whether they actually were crossbowmen, I do not know either. It is a very curious thing to think about though.

[@mazdrpan4099]

Genoese had a colony in Crimea during the middle ages so its entirely plausible.

[@ericconnor8251]

Stand fast, noble ones! Crossbowmen are here! Seriously, though, they were the bane of heavily armored feudal knights before gunpowder became a thing. Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@dylantowers9367]

I'm going to guess that Genoese Crossbowmen turning around to reload in Medieval II: Total War was probably to simplify development. It's much faster, easier and cheaper to have a single in-game model that simply turns around than it is to have a model and animations to remove the shield and stick it into the ground.

[@APB111]

I was just playing AOE2 as Italians with Genoese crossbow

[@alexchatter692]

I've been noticing how all of Megatron's recent videos have related to AOE2. perhaps they just get him more views.

[@shaider1982]

Hmm, I guess I might have to download that game. I like the Chuk no kuo best (auto cross bow)

[@TheSpongyMallard]

@@shaider1982 if you haven’t played Age of Empires 2, I highly recommend it. It’s one of the best RTS games.

[@perrytran9504]

@@shaider1982 Chukonus are one of the best unique units in the game (in addition to the Chinese being the best civ at high skill levels.) The Genoese Crossbowmen actually sucks most of the time there just because of how hard it is to get a large number. That and sadly the Italians are mediocre in AoE2 except on water.

[@luispereira3704]

Hello Metatron this was a superb break down of the genovese Elite, would you ever consider making a vídeo about Zweihanders, the historical origin of the weapon and its proper usage? If im not mistaken, German bodyguards were renouned in theyre use. Thank you.

[@Goldenleyend]

I was feeling sleepy so I started fading out for a little, but then he stood up to show his girlfriend and I was genuinely surprised. Gave me a good laugh and made me pay attention again, what a legend!

[@giulianoilfilosofo7927]

Anna Komnena's account may seem plausible as long as we are taking into account the different types of crossbows used in Medieval and Renaissance Italy (mostly Balestra manesca charged by Hand while taking cover behind a Pavise shield). There is a video on KZbin showing However also a different Type of crossbow, still used in traditional competitions in San Marino, Which may fit the Komnenian account. It should be called San Marino crossbow corps or something.

[@jerichothirteen1134]

That was awesome as always. I really appreciate how much of an accurate picture we now have of this part of history due to you and all your compadres. The absolute nonsense conjecture we used to read when I was a child!

[@riccardopagura2419]

- Metatron: Genoese crossbowmen what were they really like? -English longbowmen: targets...

[@Intranetusa]

Also French Knights during the Battle of Crecy: practice dummies for cavalry charges (when they killed their own retreating Genoese crossbowmen)

[@R.Specktre]

Fukn A right, mate ! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mireillelebeau2513]

Richard the lionhear was killed by a crossbowman, though

[@mireillelebeau2513]

But I've heard that besieged frenchmen throw cows to English longbowmen. lol

[@phantomwarlock5002]

@@mireillelebeau2513 goats and geese too

[@wu1ming9shi]

could you do one on the "flemish mercenary" too? Next to Geneose crossbowmen they were quite popular too.

[@fuferito]

I've never heard of _Genoese_ used as a general term to refer to Northern Italians. If anything, _Lombardi_ (Lombards) is a general term for Northern Italians. The Genoese, like all their fellow maritime rivals in Italy like Venice, Pisa, and Amalfi, were incurably proud and brand conscious. The Genoese called their city, Genoa, _La superba;_ 'The proud,' but, proud bordering on arrogance. I can't fathom _La superba_ sharing, and thus diluting, her brand and reputation with anyone else.

[@metatronyt]

I didnt mean that they did It, but that other people did It, particularly from other lands

[@fuferito]

@@metatronyt, In which instance did this occur? I am genuinely curious. Thank you.

[@Bootsofspeed3]

I would love to kit up as crossbowman. I was also a United States Marine infantryman in charge of 5 or 6 Marines. Furthermore, I had a genetic test and I am 14 percent Italian! I think I now know how I will develop a costume!

[@3.k]

Pavese with a AR15 mount for “just in case.” 😁

[@R.Specktre]

🤦🏾‍♂️

[@calcagnolibero]

The first naval infantry in history was deployed by the Romans during the Punic Wars against Carthago.

[@AGermanFencer]

Medievaldesign.com The guys who made Rafs doublet seen here are a great idea for the clothing ans mischellaneous part ;)

[@PSDuck216]

@@calcagnolibero Greek hoplites on triremes at the battle of Salamis.

[@ethancook3245]

The crossbowmen must have been rolling in cash to afford that much kit

[@necrogenesis1981]

By the way, do you know when armies started issuing weapons to troops rather than expecting them to buy their own? To be fair, I've never been in the military so I don't know if they still do expect you to pay for your weapon.

[@dmorgan0628]

They issue us all of the basic gear to get the job done. You're allowed to purchase your own tactical magazines, attachments for your kevlar vest and such. That was my impression in Iraq from 2007 to 2010. Guys who were overly kitted were called gear queers though.

[@matthiuskoenig3378]

@@necrogenesis1981 it depends on the nation and the period, its all over the place. And sometimes you were issued kit but it came out of your pay...

[@simondemoulin5815]

I red somewhere that crossbowmen mercenary were really well payed for their services, sometimes earning more than the lowest ranking knights. As far as commoner can earn back then, being a crossbowmen was THE dream.

[@simondemoulin5815]

@Marcelo Henrique Soares da Silva True, but I don't think the life was always peacefull and profitable there. It's too easy to lost everything because of "private" war, bandits,... But point taken : I re-read the article and the "modern" crossbow was born in Italy in the Xth century and they keep upgrading it until gunpowder arrived. Unfortunately, the more the steel industry refined itself, the more armors were reliable against projectile and the more the crossbow became powerfull and long to reload, sometime only two shot in an hour but with a punch of 350 km/h (217mil/h)... ouch.

[@andreweden9405]

Kudos to that artist for including the Krakow sabatons from the original on that one Genovese pavise! So many modern people simply cannot abide them, and they want to omit them. But I absolutely LOVE how pointy shoes and sabatons became during the 14th, and especially the 15th century! Everything became pointier during that time: weapons, architecture, shoes, even "dagging" the fringes of clothing.

[@KomradeCPU]

they are indeed elite units ^^ cheers, what a nice video to such iconic military unit, love their shields

[@thorstenmarquardt7274]

They dealt bonus damage to cavalry

[@madbrosheo1514]

Not only can crossbows pierce through bronze statues, but they can also pierce through time and space itself.

[@scarecrow2097]

This makes me wonder....how about a remake of your old video about crossbows? :D this time covering it's use from antiquity up to may today? The Byzantine quote might be referencing siege crossbows like scorpions?

[@inaces1]

Great video. Question, I'm a fan of bizantine history, do you know where I can find a free pdf version of Anna Kommenas work the Alexiad cited in this video. Thanks

[@orangeyellow9695]

Bonus damage against cavalry

[@joaoteixeira6443]

I have written, and plan to continue going into more detail, about the portuguese crossbow corps of the 14th and 15th centuries. They tick all the boxes of what made the Genoese "unique". The formation of highly codified and regulated corps of troops became more and more common as the middle ages came to a close, but they are rooted in regional practices going as far back as the 9th century, at least, in the case of Spain and Portugal. I have translated the Portuguese and Spanish sources in an article, aimed at compiling what we know of what might be a far more widespread custom in the practice and high proficiency of semi or professional corps of crossbowmen. For anyone interested, please reply. I would love it if you could read it too. @Metatron

[@jewcapify]

I loved your livestream! I'm glad you two are reunited

[@ihavenoname561]

Now this is what I call a great birthday gift! Thanks, Metatron!

[@thehackingburger3002]

Happy birthday! Hope it's a good one! :)

[@ihavenoname561]

@@thehackingburger3002 Thanks, man, it was great!

[@FirstFamilyCharger]

Great editing lad. The fade into you talking to the camera looks really professional. Class.

[@metatronyt]

Thank you very much!

[@jimghee6021]

As my family originated in Genoa I am interested in this topic. Can you name some famous battles where the Genoese Crossbowmen were effective?

[@jacopofolin6400]

The 100 years wars were a standard, and in the italian wars too

[@neutronalchemist3241]

1) First crusade. Gerusalem had been taken only with the arrival of the Genoese. Among them, the crossbowmen, that neutralised the Mameluc archers. 2) 1192, battle of Jaffa. Richard, a far better military commander than Philip VI, deployed the crossbowmen, by far the most numerous troops he had, behind a defensive hedge of spears. From there, the crossbowen destroyed Saladin's cavalry, that outnumbered the Christians 4 to 1. 3) 1248, battle of Parma, Holy Roman Emperor Fredrick II decisively defeated by the Lombard league (with the complete loss of the army, camp, crown, banner, scepter and seal), among them, the Genoese crossbowmen. And obviously many naval battles, (Meloria, Curzola...).

[@lionheart6754]

You missed a con of the crossbow at sea in navel combat if the strings get wet it makes the crossbow less effective and it takes a lot longer to change the string on the crossbow rather than the longbow

[@darkranger116]

Wearing plate is always a good idea for a Genoese crossbowman. That shield works wonders, but boy howdy, you dont want an arrow head going into your shoulder just cause you wanted a back rest for a hot second.

[@terrorcop101]

Do you know of any records indicating that they compensated for their lack of firing rate using volley tactics, similar to those of musketeers and fusiliers?

[@seandahl8441]

I hope you do more in depth videos on the Genoese crossbowmen

[@ilragazzodell9921]

Come divulgatore storico, personalmente, ti reputo uno dei più validi per passione, informazioni ed esposizione. Per me sei secondo solo ad Alessandro Barbero. Però, se continuassi di questo passo, potresti anche superarlo. GG.

[@metatronyt]

Grazie mille!

[@KroM234]

I swear I was thinking about this very topic two days ago, telling myself this has to be a documentary/video topic. Boom! Metatron did it!

[@NoahRichard]

Great video! Going to need one all about the Han Dynasty crossbowmen next!

[@seleukosnikator7347]

For the strength I would not say that the crossbow needs less than bow. Until the late 15th century, an adult had troubles to load the crossbow. Then, I agree, the mechanic allowed them to be load more easily.

[@budahbaba7856]

Metatron, who is the lovely lady who keeps waiving hello at the camera? It was such a light hearted and welcome switch-up from your typically serious tone in these videos :)

[@frankheilingbrunner7852]

That's his girlfriend Kenzie Scarlett. She's American and has her own KZbin channel (kzbin.info/door/lQ5JNwaC_fklygi8dOnyQA), on which she reviews cosmetics products. Inspired by Metatron, she did a series of historical makeup styles (kzbin.info/aero/PLCcmV7NnER1n5LUPo_tGSSJMT4bIJcnYU).

[@not-a-theist8251]

love these units break downs. Looking forward for more of them

[@voswouter87]

I missed the answer to the question why crossbows are so good on boats? Is it because you can hide behind the railing of the boats and keep the bow ready until the swell of the boat is good enough to shoot?

[@mushroom_gal490]

Partially, I would assume. However, it is also likely the case that a crossbow would be better suited than a bow for the potentially cramped conditions of a boat, as they require less room to use effectively. Moreover, modern crossbows can remain coked and loaded for many hours without damaging them. If this is applicable to period crossbows as well, that would mean they may be faster to ready than a now would be in the case of a surprise attack or boarding action

[@Deepstinkt]

Anna also has an interesting quote about Bohemond.

[@user-eq8ww1gr6v]

They needed expensive equipment? Guess it would be great for a wealthy trading empire...guess that helps explain being taking root in northern Italy

[@neutronalchemist3241]

Crossbows became paramount in northern Italy because they were great for a citizen's militia. A shopkeeper, by training on sunday, after the mass, became proficient enough to kill a fully equipped knight (and that's why they were frowned upon by the upper class, see the papal ban. They were socially levelling). Obviously, when there were many crossbowmen around, the better trained were better, and the better trained were the Genoese, because they were full-time used on the ships.

[@VLCBK]

For so long I ve been waiting for this vid, you made my day

[@richardglady3009]

Wonderful, visual information. Thank you.

[@villiamkarl-gustavlundberg5422]

I'm tempted to start playing medieval 2 after watching this video ngl

[@skarredcat]

I’d imagine the central ridge would also help it stand up better, since there would be a section of perpendicular material, like an I-beam

[@wetbreadstickcapo8507]

This graphic novel was 10000% worth it no joke. I would recommend it 🥰

[@JustAnotherAwesomeGuy]

Gota give credit where it's due to age of empires for making many unique unit types across civilization and history known and educative

[@leonst.7471]

The time of the renaissance really is seldom discuss in popular media even tho a lot of interesting things were happening all around the world

[@trenthobson2756]

Raphael, I reckon you ought to get some plumage for your helmet.

[@hessuh2380]

What is your opinion about the plausibility and effectiviness of using your crossbow as an last resort melee weapon. I think you could do serious blunt force danage with that thing.

[@bubbasbigblast8563]

I'd just like to add that France did actually try to create their own Archer core in the late Medieval Era, but it was too expensive, and too difficult to keep organized on the battlefield. As such, being able to buy soldiers who already knew their craft, and who's deficiencies could generally be worked around, was worth an otherwise high expense.

[@hansmeier5617]

Great Video! A chance that we have a video about the white company, swiss mercenaries (maybe from the Swabian Swordmen to the pikemen and halberds) and the Saracen archers from Friedrich the 2?

[@brittakriep2938]

When halberds became popular, the Hohenstaufen dynasty ( Ghibbelines ) was extinct . Konradin was executed in 1268.

[@hansmeier5617]

@@brittakriep2938 did not write the list in any particular order. Otherwise the Swabian Swordsmen should have come first :-)

[@brittakriep2938]

@@hansmeier5617 : As a swabian who lives in view range to Hohenstaufen, my point was that i don' t know if the halbed was in use in Hohenstaufen era , even Switzerland was part of duchy Swabia.

[@hansmeier5617]

@@brittakriep2938 sorry I misunderstood you and expressed myself unclearly. You are right, of course. Most of the Swabian Swordsmen came from the Zurich area and served the Pope in the battle of Civitate against the Normans in 1053. So you could call them the first swiss mercenaries. I also find it interesting that these warriors preferred to fight on foot rather than on horseback like the Swiss did later. If you understand German, you will find a great article on the subject here: www.kriegsreisende.de/mittelalter/civitate.htm

[@brittakriep2938]

@@hansmeier5617 : I know, that some people think, swabian dialect is no german language :-). The former duchy Swabia, for about 150years ruled by Hohenstaufen dynasty was the southern and middle part of german state Baden- Württemberg, the district Schwaben in Bavaria, Liechtenstein, german part of Switzerland and austrian state Vorarlberg. In Switzerland there had been fewer noblemen and knights than in the rest of Swabia, so the traditional levies of Freemen on foot die not lost importance.

[@BelovedOfFreya]

Did early Arquebusier use the Pavise when the Crossbow was still commonly used on the battlefield?

[@holemas]

902 Likes 0 Dislikes. Now that's a lovely like to dislike ratio, what a great community.

[@jl9211]

So what's the deal with those vertically strapped shields you see Italian infantry using?

[@irrwitza7]

In the Battle of Agincourt, Genoese (North Italian 😉) crossbowmen were used by the French side. As far as I know, they were no match for the English longbowmen due to the wet weather, as their crossbows were soaked and had lost much of their resilience. Apparently their bolts could not reach the English lines at all.

[@Knoloaify]

Wetness would have affected the longbowmen as well. The most likely reason why they weren't effective that we know off from the historical account is that the deployment was so chaotic that they didn't have their pavises and they had to quickly make place for the charge.

[@Intranetusa]

And at the Battle of Crecy, the French killed their own Genoese crossbowmen after they performed poorly against the English archer. There was even a 1400s AD account saying that crossbow volleys did as much harm as a "shower of rotten apples." This seems a far cry from the description that Anna Komnene used to describe other types of crossbows in the 1100s AD.

[@MrAllmightyCornholioz]

ITALIAN UNIQUE UNIT IN AOE2!!! Sane ain ago correctus presto impero poro

[@sams9117]

5:50 maybe that might've been referencing something resembling a ballista or any other larger bolt throwing machine.

[@filwalker7178]

I think there is some confusion here between Italian versus northern european crossbows and crossbowmen. There were major differences, including that Italians didn't carry their own pavises but rather operated as a kind of firing team with a pavisiere and sometimes another infantryman.

[@Monkforilla]

Ahh I see. Thank you! I didn’t know the difference and was always under the impression the Italian crossbow an were the only ones to carry a pavise

[@vksasdgaming9472]

Once again extremely effective military innovation hampered by its logistical demands. Crossbow is complex device and armor, pavese and pavesier are all quite expensive. Very strong when it gets to work, but getting it to work is not cheap or fast.

[@justins7183]

actually crossbows were used before the han dynasty. I'm pretty sure during the warring states the qin state was known for it's mass formation of crossbows.

[@cataphract8508]

If the French Knights during the Medieval period in Europe were/are understood as the most Chivalrous out of all of the European Knights during the European Medieval period. Then why were the hired Mercenary Crossbowmen ushered asap on the battlefield so much so by the French Count of Alençon - Charles ll, that they weren't even allowed to enter the battlefield properly prepared so they could face the English army in the battle of Crécy. But they complied and went forward even without their special Shields (pavise) exceptionally integral to their fighting readiness! When they couldn't close in their range on the English, but still went and tried. When they saw that there was no effect of their efforts they chose to retreat. Some of the noblest French nobles saw the Crossbowmen retreat and saw this as a sign of cowardice and chose to mow down and kill off the Crossbowmen as supposed cowards, when initially they were ushered into battle without properly gearing up!

[@frankheilingbrunner7852]

Metatron explains, in his inimitable polyglot style: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2nPZ36Xq7SNlc0

[@christofme1436]

Isn't the ban in the Second Council of the Lateran (Cantus 29) one against all projectile weapons (archers are specifically mentioned, crossbows not)? I haven't read the original, but all translations I have seen mention archers/bows.

[@frankheilingbrunner7852]

Indeed so ... for all the good it did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHmXZGSCnNqon9U

[@mauser_c9687]

Ah yes our humble very able crossbowman. Might I suggest the next video contents (or miniseries) will be mercenaries medieval to pre WW1

[@tulisotilas]

What do you mean they don't have bonus damage against cavalry?

[@exploatores]

If you need a archer. start with a young boy. If you need a crossbow man. you can start with a young man. Arquebusier, if you have the money for it. We can be ready in a month or so.

[@sevenproxies4255]

Are there any horse crossbowmen in history? I mean, the mongols used horse archers to great effect. But I'd imagine that crossbowmen on horseback could also employ the strengths of the crossbow while keeping out of harms way during reloading. They could ride in, fire off a volley, ride out to a safe distance, reload and come back for another volley. Repeat until enemy is dead or routed.

[@18Krieger]

Mounted crossbowman were common mercenaries from and in the Holy Roman Empire which included the Kingdom of Bohemia. We have written contracts and letters that these men were hired for the teutonic polish wars. We dont really know if they used their crossbow from the back of the animal or dismounted before.

[@Intranetusa]

Yes, crossbows were used by mounted infantry (who dismounted to fight) and by cavalry (who used crossbows while riding) as well. The Han Dynasty, Song Dynasty, some European states, etc all used mounted crossbowmen. Here is a painting of Song Dynasty heavy armored cavalry with crossbows: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Northern_song_Cavalry.jpg Here is an example of a Han Dynasty mural portraying crossbow cavalry: i.pinimg.com/originals/33/46/ce/3346cee9ff669420d49b682c76c78da3.png

[@adambielen8996]

The Germans did this a bit. I don't know how prominent this was though.

[@happykharl]

great video and what an awesome graphic novel hopefully we will get tv series soon that are as believable

[@Intranetusa]

On a related note, crossbows were used by mounted infantry (who dismounted to fight) and by cavalry (who used crossbows while riding) as well. The Han Dynasty, Song Dynasty, some European states, etc all used mounted crossbowmen. Here is a painting of Song Dynasty heavy armored cavalry with crossbows: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Northern_song_Cavalry.jpg Here is an example of a Han Dynasty mural portraying crossbow cavalry: i.pinimg.com/originals/33/46/ce/3346cee9ff669420d49b682c76c78da3.png

[@SteelerBoy-tc7sv]

11:19 I wonder if this shield design took at least some inspiration from Egyptian Ikem Shields

[@Haecqal]

Does pavise crossbowmen have their own formation like shield turtle formation?

[@Kameeho]

Wouldnt you be able to have a high rate of fire if you has several crossbows loaded and ready? Kinda like how early matchlock pistols were used by having several loaded ones to allow you to fire a quick volley before starting to reload

[@akaviri5]

Probably too cumbersome and/or expensive. If you had 5 crossbows you may as well have 5 guys operating them for an even higher rate of fire.

[@nicholasthompson9410]

You can't hide multiple crossbows on your person if you could it wouldn't be easy to just throw down one and grab another. They are big and have weight