crossbows
 

i have 2 questions, about crossbows, one not really doing anything with lord of the rings.
are crossbows ever used in warfare in middle earth ?
and how long does it take to load a crossbow ? i was watching mail call on the history channel, and they were firring one, and i always wondered how long it took to load one, but right when they were starting too, they would skip right to firing it.

I am sure that crossbows were used, I think it was even mentioned!

As to loading a crossbow, I do not have personal experience, however I know it takes only about a minute to load it. Think of it as loading a musket....

I also saw that episode of Mail Call, a very interesting show.

try this link, you can find information you could want to know about medieval warfare and arms as well as daily life.
http://www.geocities.com/nova_dkorat/medieval.html


If I see enough questions about weapons, especially medieval weapons, I will put up a post specifically baisc medeival weapoms, their uses amd other information that I would think would be useful. What do you think?

Eol

[ September 11, 2002: Message edited by: Eol ]

Were crossbows used? I concur, I believe I read an accurate description of one in one of the battles, perhaps it was Helm's Deep? Can someone back me up on that? I'm not sure if I am wrong.

As to loading a crossbow - that depends on if it is all manual, or partially crank assisted.
I have pulled one into position, a light one, and nearly wrenched my arm from my socket. it's tough, and it takes about 15 seconds from pull, to load, to shoot. (Unless you are a VERY strong and agile man.)
The cranked versions took about the same, or perhaps longer,15 - 20 seconds, to thread, crank, and arm.

In the end you were granted an excellent weapon. Hardly any kickback, and a dart that could go through thin steel very effectively. I LOVE them as a weapon. They are SO accurate...and so silent! (Except when you are huffing and puffing trying to cock it!)

[ September 14, 2002: Message edited by: Tirned Tinnu ]

on the passage to middlearth scifi special, the one guy, made a crossbow, which he loaded quickly. i doubt its a middle earth weapon though

hello! About your question, i hav a cross bow myself ( for real, i made it...w/ help of course) and since im not that skilled it does depend. For instance; if i was to shoot an arrow, and i needed presission, it would take me 0.5 minutes, if i was to aim quickly;o.25 minutes. and since most elves and men are A LOT more skilled than me, even less. i suppose it depends on what level archery you are at.

I am sure that crossbows existed in Middle-earth at the time of the War of the Ring, and thus they must have been used somewhere. I concluded this from the knowledge that the crossbow was indeed a mediaeval weapon, but the longbow was introduced later in history. There were longbows used by archers in ME, and thus there must have been crossbows there as well.