How a Lightweight Medieval Crossbow Works

How to shoot a Medieval Crossbow. Here Kevin Hicks demonstrates a lightweight crossbow that works with a goats foot lever. Much easier and faster to load than the heavyweight crossbow.
#medieval #middleages #medievalwarfare #crossbow #medievalcrossbow #history
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[@dimpledchimpy1106]

This man is the hickock45 of old weapons

[@thehistorysquad]

Hahaha 👍🏻

[@ArniesTech]

Kevin Hickok45. Close enough. Imagine both teaming up. 💪🏻

[@knightshousegames]

@@ArniesTech "Today on the shooting table we've got a Handgonne. This is one of the few guns that might actually be older than I am..."

[@shamWOOHOO22]

"Against her neighbor" Joke or not, it NEVER crossed my mind that people probably used crossbows and short bows as home defense, alongside melee weapons

[@celticperspective5183]

Richard the Lionheart was killed by a peasant wielding a crossbow, so they were definitely deadly even in the hands of commoners

[@pitmezzari2873]

Ye olde AR 15.

[@allenjenkins7947]

Especially in a situation where you don't need the range and power of a heavyweight crossbow or full size war bow.

[@TVScully]

@@pitmezzari2873 underrated comment right here

[@Rambone762]

@@pitmezzari2873 A small woman or a youngster can handle an AR15. That is why they are good.

[@Nantosuelta]

The loading process is so much faster than the heavyweight crossbow. Significantly less powerful I would imagine, but you can definitely see the advantage of the light weight version

[@thehistorysquad]

That's for sure, this one would have been able to be used from horseback 👍🏻

[@The_Gallowglass]

@@thehistorysquad Or else you might have to go a la dragoon.

[@justinisaacrada8540]

It is useful for Ranged Militias who are not good with Longbows but it is fast to reload & easier to train than the Heavy Crossbow and Longbows but slow, fires at a short range and it lacks proper armor penetration.

[@thehistorysquad]

@@justinisaacrada8540 Great points for sure 👍🏻

[@justinisaacrada8540]

Light Crossbows are only effective in defense if they are in good defensive positions and volley fire by ranks similar to the musketeers in any battlefield.

[@EokaBeamer69]

The great advantage of these crossbows was that they were very easy to use and required minimal training. They also put less strain on the body both in the long term and for your short term stamina.

[@thehistorysquad]

That's for sure 👍🏻

[@joeerickson516]

"Another weapon 🔫 of the spanish,🇪🇸 conquistadors and the Northern Italian 🇮🇹 Genoese crossbowmen, 🏹 who were payed 🪙 by 🤴 King Charles the 5th of Granada, Spain 🇪🇸 in the exploration, conquest, and the colonization of Mesoamerica and the Andes of South America."🌎 "against the hostile native american tribes who dare to oppose the Spanish, 🇪🇸 conquistadors, the Northern Italian, 🇮🇹 Genoese crossbowmen, 🏹 payed 🪙 by 🤴king Charles V of Granada, Spain 🇪🇸 their Nigerian 🇳🇬 african born slaves, and their indigenous native american auxiliaries."

[@LordDonutz]

The sound of that bolt flying towards you is terrifying. Imagine laying siege to a well defended castle and hearing those land around you.

[@kilo3989]

I'm playing a crossbow user in Dungeons and Dragons. A light crossbow has the Loading property, which means that even if you're a character who can attack more than once in a turn, you can't do so with a crossbow. Now I know why!

[@michaeljdauben]

I think he did a video of shooting a 1500 pound crossbow. It took a pully and windless to cock it. Took way longer than this setup.

[@Samaru163]

@@michaeljdauben That represetns the Heavy Crossbow, which is stronger than the Light Crossbow, but it can only be used by people with martial training.

[@SvendleBerries]

That zip as the bolt flies past the camera is very satisfying. Granted, I only feel that way because the bolt isnt being shot at me lol

[@rupertcarlquist5640]

Kevin Hicks - he’s a legend. Love his videos.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Rupert 👍🏻

[@jakeshaw4952]

"Oh, help me mummy!" 🤣😂🤣😂 Love your content brother!

[@thehistorysquad]

Appreciate it!

[@seanhuds229]

I like this guy, I have seen him in things like this for years. He encompasses everything I think of when I think of a professional Medieval soldier like a Sargent at arms.

[@ENIGMAXII2112]

The flying bolt certainly does have a triumphant "WWWWiiiZZZZ" sound...!

[@thehistorysquad]

It does indeed!

[@WadeWeigle]

You must have some terrible neighbors if you have to batten down the hatches and start letting loose with a light crossbow. Thank you for sharing this.

[@bearbasswood]

Are we going to ignore that this lad hit a bullseye in the last shot?

[@darbru]

1:00 that's a really nice detail! thank you Kevin and History Squad

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers!

[@barryblack1038]

Long Live Kevin Hicks!

[@jagrench62]

Thank you for any great video Mr. Hicks . Did you see the crossbow bolt featured in the Castle building series the point was iron installed through a hole in the nose. And then the other end is split and a single piece of leather is installed for the fletching.

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes I did, interesting eh?

[@HistoricalWeapons]

most medieval crossbows in europe are not made of steel, but composite and wood prods. so a 200lb @ 20" wood prod would be about as powerful as a 500lb@10" steel crossbow approximately. the earliest steel prods are from the burgundian army of 15th century

[@thehistorysquad]

👍🏻 thanks

[@peterelmer9114]

Excellent insight into the weapons of the past. Amazing how a weapon that old is still working, although I guess it’s had some servicing. I’ve been thinking about trying archery for a while - this has made me more keen; thanks 👍

[@thehistorysquad]

👍🏻 Definitely have a go

[@phildicks4721]

The crossbows that really impressed me were the Chinese Repeating Crossbows. From the way they worked, I'm guessing they were considered light crossbows. They kind of remind me of the modern Czech Skorpion Machine Pistol. Not the most accurate at a distance, but able to put out enough fire to keep an enemy's head down.

[@user-dg2jz1gi5s]

HIGHLY INEFFECTIVE since the bolts are the size of a #2 pencil WITHOUT fletchings. It goes sideways under 50m due to the low weight and inherent instability. Only 'effective' in video games and TTRPG.

[@garychynne1377]

enjoyed the demonstration thank yew

[@thehistorysquad]

You’re welcome 👍

[@nothyperbole4984]

I have an 80 lb crossbow from 1970, and ten point crossbow at 150 lb from 1999. I used a crossbow for a few years after a back injury on the job in 1997. In 2005 I was back to my longbow after much physical therapy three times a week for years 🎯

[@henryvagincourt4502]

We all get older as the bowmen of England and Wales did.

[@richardmacpherson7647]

Wow the sound it makes as it comes in!!

[@allenjenkins7947]

In terms of firearms, I would consider the speed of loading of a heavyweight crossbow similar to a flintlock, this lightweight bow somewhat like a percussion muzzleloader and the long or short bow somewhere around that of a bolt-action repeater. This is not a claim about combat effectiveness.

[@nor0845]

A very handy looking crossbow. Two points if I may; what would be the effective range of a bow like this against opposing troops and do you need rail lube as you do with modern xbows? Excellent video as always. Thanks for posting.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi there, thanks for your questions. Yes, I use bees wax as a lubricant. The range depends on what bolt is used. Heavy or medium bolts will range 150-175 yards, but the lighter the bolt, the longer the distance it will shoot. Medieval bolts were far heavier than their modern equivalent.

[@nor0845]

@@thehistorysquad Many thanks for your kind reply. Excellent information. A very good channel.

[@prodbasedmystik]

Bro fightin the skeleton army in 2022

[@gregsturgeon6497]

I was so happy to see a proper crossbow with a roller nut instead of the thumb release used by the sca.

[@rokbow2523]

Omg i just love this man

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks! Any requests for history films you'd like to see in the future?

[@marion_roberts]

Ah, so crossbow bolts do whistle! I always thought that was a hollywood thing. It must be terrifying to hear that sound whizzing by during the war of the roses.

[@davidc6510]

Its as simple as that. Thanks for sharing Kevin.

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure!!

[@cloudhop]

Well presented and very entertaining. Would like to see a video demonstrating the impact and penetration of arrows/bolts at maximum range on armour and various materials as we read of armies attacking at maximum range many times, Towton etc. I guess you will need to be a good shot at maximum distance !!

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi there, thanks for watching. When the snow clears here, I hope to get out and look at shooting at long/max distance, so stay tuned 👍🏻 You might want to check out Tod's Workshop channel, he does lots of experiments .... kzbin.infofeatured @todsworkshop1 👍🏻

[@GOBRAGH2]

Wow, a simple and effective system!

[@thehistorysquad]

It sure is!

[@pkj77]

Love it last shot almost dead center

[@redshorse]

Excellent explanation and demonstration.

[@deanstav3787]

20 seconds per shot! And Kev wasn't even in too much of a hurry either.

[@astronautindisguise]

Love the cheeky smile after he said he got the man behind him. Great vid as always!

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Matt-np3wk]

I love these. Keep them coming Kevin

[@Harrier_DuBois]

Great channel, I don't know how it hasn't appeared in my recommendations or searches for me til recently.

[@thehistorysquad]

Well I'm glad you found it now Oliver, thanks!

[@edwardtroth8630]

Love these. Could you do a demonstration on first world war trench raids?

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Edward, funny enough I'm just reading about the trench raids prior to Vimy Ridge 1917 but fully intend to run a series on WW1, like the Hundred Years War series I'm working on now. Thanks for watching.

[@tombradford7035]

Wow - beautiful.

[@nickh4280]

Another great and grand video! Sadly, my Lancastrian blood was boiling looking at that little flower on the crossbow hahah 🤣

[@thehistorysquad]

😂

[@darkdiceadventures]

This man living the dream

[@stevenpercy4172]

Just came across your videos, really interesting

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Steve, glad you like them!

[@bdubeau88]

This guy is amazing

[@Austrian_Butcher]

"I got the bloke behind 'em"

[@sasasasa-lx6cl]

You are spanning it wrong. Check the hinged upper plates on 15 c goat foots - they have a hook. This hook is used not only for transportation but also to keep plate in place while spanning. Reverse the plate so it is under the belt and pressed to the the lower belly over the leg, hook goes over the belt. Now you can span the crossbow using both hands and (which is even more important in battle) without removing the goat foot from the belt. 150-200 kilos bow could be spanned with ease this way. And there is no need to disfigure the stock ;) If you check photos of pre-WWI crossbow societies members they even have special belts with additional padding under the plate, allowing them to span even heavier bows with goat foots.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi there, thanks for your comment 👍🏻 I am aware of this, but it's my preferred way of loading. I know I'm not a crossbowman, I'm just a longbowman (with some crossbows) 😉 Thanks for watching.

[@soloquester]

Awesome! We need more of these.

[@thehistorysquad]

On it!

[@martalilla5370]

really cool!

[@Gendos_Iz_Tallina]

Very well !

[@gilangraka1324]

Fun fact: in Skyrim, the Dawnguard crossbow has built-in goat foot lever on it.

[@thehistorysquad]

It was the way of the future 👍🏻

[@johnx140]

One of the benefits of these is that when you shoot, you don't risk Tinnitus.

[@markhuckercelticcrossbows7887]

kev, nice to see your going strong, once met you on the moat of Warwick castle, when you were doing one of your excellent, demonstrations, full of dark humor lol, you inspired me then, back in 2004 i think it was. I now produce my own range of bolts, cheers kev. shame i missed you at chepstow castle, im only down the road at Raglan castle.

[@thehistorysquad]

Ah, that's great Mark, Raglan is another of my favourites. I'd love to do a video there too, to you have any contacts? interestingly, do you know which is the best point of balance on a crossbow bolt?

[@markhuckercelticcrossbows7887]

@@thehistorysquad hiya kev, tried to add my email, you tube kept blanking it. pop on bye my channel, only properly started 3 weeks ago, still finding my feet, lol

[@markhuckercelticcrossbows7887]

@@thehistorysquad best point of balance, hmmmm, id probably say 1/3 of the shaft on a medieval bolt, ive only got half dozen. saving up to get one of tod`s beautys lol :)

[@thehistorysquad]

@@markhuckercelticcrossbows7887 That's about what I thought, thanks 👍🏻

[@joeerickson516]

"Bullseye!" 🎯 "like Robin Hood, 🏹 little John, blink in, Achoo, will scarlet O'Hara, and the merry men." 🚹

[@rikijett310]

"Help me Mummy!!!!" LOL 😂👍👍

[@calgacusofcaledonia]

God’s breath! I can’t quit watching this channel‼️ 😦

[@thehistorysquad]

Much appreciated, thank you!

[@phospadparadschaa]

“Help me, mummy!” 😂

[@xIkkito]

"Oh! I got the blok behind him." :D

[@jpayne1175]

Kevin, this was a great demonstration. What is the poundage of this particular crossbow?

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi J, I’m afraid I can’t remember exactly. I think it was between maybe 150-200 pounds

[@vitorpereira9515]

​@@thehistorysquadSo it is more powerful than a longbow isn't?

[@thehistorysquad]

@@vitorpereira9515 Yes, my longbow is around 80lbs

[@calgacusofcaledonia]

I could spend weeks on end listening to his stories, and asking him stupid questions. (OH, the multitude of stupid questions I’d have for him…probably wouldn’t take’em long to start looking for the front door) 😂

[@thehistorysquad]

🤣

[@dennisrichards2540]

Hi Kevin, new subscriber here. can you tell me what the circular tab at the end of the 'goats foot lever' is for? it's hinged and looks like it has a purpose rather than just for decoration.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Dennis, thanks for your question. The circular disk is pivoted and is where you rest the palm of your hand when you're loading the crossbow from the ground, i.e., when your foot is in the stirrup. It's simply a pivoted hand grip to use when you pull the handle back. I hope that's helpful, and thanks so much for watching. Kevin

[@juggernautz181]

very helpful for modeling, ty (:

[@almartin4284]

I notice a foot loop on the front of the bow. I suppose you could load the bow that way as well. But if you are not able to stand then the loading tool would be very handy

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, that’s right 👍

[@wattyler9806]

Great channel. Really interesting.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you very much!

[@wuggi8603]

This is nice

[@amazemek]

delightful lesson! how were these carried tho? in the back?

[@philtheoccultist]

“oh i missed him, i got the bloke behind him” 😭😭😭

[@thehistorysquad]

😜

[@tmclaug90]

Would be cool to see what kinda range that thing has

[@KS-hj6xn]

A fearsome weapon even for today. Lolol.

[@mdgeist9737]

I'm considering using one for deer/hog hunting

[@PatricioGarcia1973]

It is a light crossbow and the bolt went half way thru the target. Imagine what it would do to a human body, and what could a heavy duty or strong bow do.

[@theunfortunategeneral]

What a simple, fine-looking Crossbow. The goat-fot is one of the simplest reloads Ive ever seen for a crossbow. Does this type of crossbow "have a name"? Or is it just a crossbow reloaded with a Goat foot?

[@thehistorysquad]

I don't think it does have a specific name, no, just a lightweight crossbow 👍🏻

[@Nana-vi4rd]

Looks a lot better to use that the big one you showed with the two hand crank. I image that one might have been used in hunting as well.

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, this light one would have been used for hunting

[@nathangerber1547]

So what is the loop on the end used for on this crossbow? Usually I see people put their foot in it while drawing the string back like he does with the heavy crossbow, but he doesn't use it here.

[@AlchemistOfNirnroot]

What was the distance roughly? And how would a strong wind affect the weapon?

[@allanburt5250]

Fantastic

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@YorkistRaven]

I like this lightweight crossbow; easier to load, lighter, faster. The white rose inset surely makes it more accurate 😉🐗

[@thehistorysquad]

I agree! 😜

[@balancedactguy]

Hello Kevin! Do you have any idea how many pounds of force it takes to draw this Crossbow? Also, have you ever shot any of these Bolts through a Chronograph to measure its' speed? Please let me know Mate!! BTW...Nice video!!

[@thehistorysquad]

This one is lighter for sure, but no I've never shot it through a Chronograph. Maybe I'll take a look over the summer and check it out - I wonder if they do chronographs on Amazon 😉

[@balancedactguy]

@@thehistorysquad Hello Kevin. Yes...you can find chronographs on AMAZON....I just checked for you! Knowing some of these Bolt/Arrow Speeds might be interesting for you and your Viewers! Take Care Mate!!

[@thehistorysquad]

@@balancedactguy Cheers, I'll check it out 👍🏻

[@arizona1287]

That was a really great testing, but what do you think whats actually better: a Crossbow or a regular Bow?

[@thehistorysquad]

Oh a regular bow for me by far. I’m so much more comfortable with it, it’s simpler, quicker and in the right hands just as deadly. 👍

[@arizona1287]

@@thehistorysquad Thanks for the Answer, a lot of people think crossbows where used bc they got more power and range, you think thats true?

[@thehistorysquad]

@@arizona1287 They did have more power, but were used because they were a convenient weapon that required little training. They needed the cover of a pavise or castle wall to protect the bowman whilst reloading because they were so slow. 👍🏻

[@RealBadGaming52]

Handy to know incase I end up back in 1461 but all joking that’s cool, I wish games would depict this properly

[@inactionprogamer]

Where can I buy one of these nice crossbows though? I’m a huge crossbow fan and would love to have this or similar exemplary in my collection

[@thehistorysquad]

I would suggest @TodsWorkshop1 kzbin.info. He has a great channel, but also makes crossbows 👍🏻

[@inactionprogamer]

@@thehistorysquad thank you 😊 I’ll check it out

[@gn2650]

Can you reload a long draw length wooden crossbow with a lever? How large should that lever be?

[@thehistorysquad]

It depends, you'd have to do the math, but if it's too long you'd have to use a cranequin

[@Toby_the_Glen]

So, what is the advantage of this weapon? Also, how much did they cost back in the day, they look expensive, especially when you could easily just make your own bow?

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Toby, this weapon can be shot from the back of a horse, easily used in defence of a home or fortified manor house. They're a quicker shot than the heavyweight (windlass) crossbow. They were pretty expensive, and if you read the Paston Papers, it talks about purchasing the crossbows from London, so you might find a more specific reference to the cost there. Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@francois1473]

In addition to whats already been said. You can easily train someone to use a crossbow effectivly within a week. Training someone to use a longbow of a high pullweight (to be effective) could take years to build the muscle/skill required.

[@jamie_d0g978]

The advantage is basically skill requirement. The crossbow took almost every physical aspect of archery out and replace it with machinery. Easy to use, easy to get good at and in a relatively short period of time.

[@allenjenkins7947]

@@francois1473 That muscle strength was usually built up over years of heavy agricultural work, starting around the age of 8 to 10. Most modern longbows of around 80 to 100lb draw would have been considered suitable for young teenage boys in the heyday of the bow.

[@mikegould6590]

It's easy to see why these were so popular. The training time for a crossbow would be less than that for a longbow, correct?

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, correct.

[@jamie_d0g978]

I remember some crossbows here in Spain shoot metal or stone balls. It's a special kind of crossbow of it is something that you can do with every kind of xbow?

[@thehistorysquad]

Those crossbows have a specially woven string and some also had a slightly different bow. They were used in the 17C in England to shoot musket balls, they were good for hunting and also deadly in a siege. 👍🏻. Thanks for watching.

[@Assdafflabaff]

"I certainly go" I love English wit.

[@Itsjustgavinidk]

you should get Quick Charge III

[@wildewulf-9873]

I shall sendeth a cloth yard shaft through yon wishbone!

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha :-)

[@sven416]

@thehistorysquad Sorry, i know this is an old video but Im curious why the bow has a foot stirrup if its main method of loading is a lever, crannequin or a windlass? It seems all crossbows have a stirrup so im a little confused

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi, the correct way to load it is to put your foot in the stirrup and use the goats foot lever to pull the string back up towards you. This is a safe way of loading.

[@henryhuang4100]

Why does the lightweight crossbow still keep the iron hoop (enclosed stirrup shape piece) at the forepart while the lever device is applied for loading? To fit different circumstances for mounted and on foot combats?

[@thehistorysquad]

Yes, that's exactly it 👍🏻

[@MbisonBalrog]

They should make the lever a permanent part of the crossbow nondetachable.

[@mr31337]

Great to see old folk LARPing.

[@thehistorysquad]

Indeed!

[@BartimaeusAurelius]

How much punch would a light crossbow have? Would it be able to punch through armor or was that only the heavy crossbows?

[@thehistorysquad]

It's certainly done damage to armour in the past, you imagine the kinetic energy of the hit of one of those bolts too. I hope to do some tests in the future. 👍🏻

[@user-wn6kp1du2o]

what is the draw weight of this bow my bow is 370 lbs harder to span than this must be low weight

[@barbarybar]

It seems that the cross bow here has a high velocity rather than shooting a heavy bolt.

[@jshicke]

I see the stirrup at the front of the weapon. Could these be cocked by hand? If not, why the stirrup? Thanks.

[@thehistorysquad]

They couldn't be cocked by hand however the way I load it on the film is the easy way. If you were shooting from behind cover, you load it by putting your foot in the stirrup and pulling the lever back towards you. You can do this stooped down behind a pavise. 👍🏻

[@lemony_fish8790]

where did you buy this I have been searching for ages for a low is draw weight crossbow but I haven't found any that aren't intended for display only?

[@thehistorysquad]

It was specially made for me years ago, but you could try Tods Workshop 👍🏻

[@tauIrrydah]

I see that cheeky little White Rose there! We know which side you're on! ;)

[@thehistorysquad]

😛

[@jimwind7589]

Wow these are cool videos. Sorry if this is a stupid question. What has more range, the cross bow or the long now?

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Jim, not a stupid question at all. From what I can tell, the longbow in the day was perceived to have a greater distance, but really, all of the weapons were used at much shorter distances than people think. 👍🏻

[@ronaldwinfield307]

Personally I think a goats foot is easy to use. A crannican or a windlass not as simple. For my stag crossbow I use a strap. I still think its a good form of home defense.{ At least in the USA}

[@jackcheungguntesting5129]

It’s even faster than a musket😮

[@gn2650]

What is the max rate of fire?

[@thehistorysquad]

I’d say about 3 a minute, taking aim 👍

[@cx2181]

Where would I be able to get something like this?

[@thehistorysquad]

todsworkshop.com