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Arbalestina

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Arbalestina.jpg An 11th century knight, after the Bayeux tapestryThumbnailsFrederick at the watch-fire before the battle of LiegnitzAn 11th century knight, after the Bayeux tapestryThumbnailsFrederick at the watch-fire before the battle of LiegnitzAn 11th century knight, after the Bayeux tapestryThumbnailsFrederick at the watch-fire before the battle of Liegnitz

The narrow cruciform loophole, called by architects ' Arbalestina,' which is usually to be seen in the masonry of a mediaeval fortress, was designed for the special use of crossbowmen in repelling an assault.
To enable the crossbow, or longbow, to be aimed to the right or left through a loophole, the aperture was greatly widened out on the inside face of the perforated wall.