Crossbow questions

[X Equestris]

I'm in no way an expert in any of this, but I cannot fathom how your character is going to be mounted on a horse and shooting a crossbow.

Similar to horse archers. Mounted crossbowmen existed for a time before advancements in firearms made them less useful than reiters or other similar cavalry with a brace of wheellock pistols. Reloads are harder than with conventional horse archers, but possible with either spanning mechanisms like the goat’s foot lever/cranequin or by using lighter crossbows you could span by hand.

 

[CdnWriter]

Similar to horse archers. Mounted crossbowmen existed for a time before advancements in firearms made them less useful than reiters or other similar cavalry with a brace of wheellock pistols. Reloads are harder than with conventional horse archers, but possible with either spanning mechanisms like the goat’s foot lever/cranequin or by using lighter crossbows you could span by hand.

Do you have any film or video (animated) that shows this? I don't think I have ever seen this....I've only really ever seen either native (North) American Indians or mounted Mongol horse archers doing this in western films or historical documentary drama pieces....maybe some fantasy films.

It would be interesting to see how it works with crossbows.

 

[X Equestris]

Do you have any film or video (animated) that shows this?

Most of the cultures that have kept mounted archery alive do more conventional horse archery, so I’ve never seen a full-tilt, live-action example, but this video does discuss and show it a little:

 

[Rath Darkblade]

A very clear video on how mounted crossbowmen would reload their weapon. Thanks, X Equestris.

As he points out, though, a mounted crossbowman would be outranged by a horse archer, and the mounted archer's rate of fire is also greater. Lastly, if a mounted crossbowman is riding out against a pikeman (or against light or heavy cavalry), the mounted crossbowman would be in trouble -- unless he has some way to keep them at bay afterwards (e.g. with a spear or pike).

It makes sense that mounted crossbowmen would do well if they are supported by horse archers, or if they're foraging for food. (A crossbowman needs time to reload, and he won't have that time in a melee situation. But if he has the time to load and aim at something to eat, then why not).

However, it also makes sense that mounted crossbowmen would only exist in places where horse archers are not plentiful. Given the choice, I would go with horse archers every time.

 

[CdnWriter]

Most of the cultures that have kept mounted archery alive do more conventional horse archery, so I’ve never seen a full-tilt, live-action example, but this video does discuss and show it a little:

THANKS!!!! That helps me picture it a lot better.