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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.

Author

The Book of the Crossbow
By Ralph Payne-Gallwey
Published in 1903, 1995
Available from Internet Archive

Posted on

Monday 22 March 2021

Dimensions

280*423

Tags

architecture, Castles, Middle Ages, Place:Europe, Weapons

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• Places / Europe / France

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