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The Nomenclature of The Crossbow
The Medieval Crossbow was called by many names, most of
which were derived from the word Ballista. The Ballista was a great siege
engine on wheels that was used by the ancients and which in appearance
and mechanism resembled a crossbow, though so much larger in size, Chapter
LVII.
The Crossbow was Known as1
| Arbalist |
Arcubalistarius |
| Arbalistarius |
Arcubalistus |
| Arbalistator |
Balistatius |
| Arbalistanus |
Balistrarius |
| Arbalistrius |
Balistrator |
The Crossbow
| Arbalet |
Arblast |
| Arbalist |
Alablaste |
| Arbalista |
Alblast |
| Arbaliste |
Arbelaste |
| Arcubalist |
Arowblaste |
| Arcubalista |
Arblat |
| Arcubalistus |
Arbalestel2 |
Manu-balista
Crossbow Shooting
Name of the Crossbow in Different Countries
at the Present Day
France
Belgium |
} |
Arbalete |
Germany
Austria |
} |
Armbrust |
| Italy |
- |
Balestra |
Denmark |
- |
Flitsbue |
| Spain |
- |
Ballesta |
Sweden |
- |
Armbost |
| Portugal |
- |
Besta |
Norway |
- |
Krydsbue |
Russia - Samostrel
1 To avoid needless repetition, the names are
here spelt with an "i" as in Arbalist. They were, however, just as commonly
spelt with an "e," as Arbalest. It will be seen that in some cases the
same word stands for a Crossbowman and a Crossbow.
In Mediaeval English the Crossbowman was known as Albaster,
Alblastere, Allblawster, Arbalaster, Arbalister, Arblaster, Arrowblaster,
Awlblaster ; all these words being corruptions of the Latin.
2 In old French, a small crossbow. |
