How to Reload a Medieval Crossbow

The medieval crossbow changed the face of the medieval combat environment. Armed with a crossbow, it took little training to field a new soldier with the ability to best heavily armed and armored mounted knights from across a battlefield. Offering accuracy and power, the crossbow became a feared weapon, but a slower reload rate than traditional bows made fielding them effectively difficult. The mechanical bow requires you to use both hands and a foot to reload, and requires your full attention while doing so. Reloading is a slow process that on the medieval battlefield left the bowman vulnerable. However, after reloaded, firing the bow is simply a matter of pointing at the target and pulling the trigger.

Things You'll Need

  • Stringing aid
  • Crossbow bolt
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Place the front end of the unloaded crossbow onto the ground so that the stirrup, the metal loop at the head of the bow is against the ground and the bow rises up the front of your body with the side containing the string facing away from you.

    • 2

      Place a foot into the stirrup to hold the bow steady.

    • 3

      Grasp the string with your hands, or use an aid such as a lever or hook to grasp the bowstring with, and pull the string upward into the trigger mechanism, cocking the trigger and setting the string into place. You should hear a click from the mechanism indicating that you've cocked it fully. Release the cocked string.

    • 4

      Lift the bow and point it downfield in the direction that you intend to release the arrow. Place the crossbow bolt into the groove along the body of the bow sliding it back into the trigger housing. Position the bolt so that one of the feathers is in the groove while the rear of the bolt sits against the string. This loads the bow, needing only a touch on the trigger to fire.