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Arbalestina

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Arbalestina.jpg Chair of the Ninth or Tenth CenturyThumbnailsAn 11th century knight, after the Bayeux tapestryChair of the Ninth or Tenth CenturyThumbnailsAn 11th century knight, after the Bayeux tapestryChair of the Ninth or Tenth CenturyThumbnailsAn 11th century knight, after the Bayeux tapestry

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.