The arbalest was a large weapon with a steel prod, or bow assembly. Since the arbalest was much larger than earlier crossbows, and because of the greater tensile strength of steel, it had a greater force.

The arbalest was the distance weapon of choice for medieval armies. It was first mentioned in 1100 in The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a historical record of Saxon England.

The arbalest (also arblast) was a late variation of the medieval European crossbow coming into use during the 12th century. A large weapon, the arbalest had a steel prod ("bow").

An arbalest is a medieval crossbow, characterized by its mechanized loading system and cross-shaped design, which revolutionized warfare by providing infantry soldiers with an easier-to-use weapon …

arbalest in American English (ˈɑːrbəlɪst) noun a powerful medieval crossbow with a steel bow, used to shoot stones, metal balls, arrows, etc

There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun arbalest. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

We’ll define what an arbalest is and explore its unique features that set it apart from traditional bows.

The arbalest, also spelled arblast, is a powerful late medieval crossbow distinguished by its steel prod—a rigid metal bow fixed transversely to a wooden stock—and its reliance on mechanical …

The arbalest (also arblast) was a late variation of the crossbow coming into use in Europe during the 12th century. A large weapon, the arbalest had a steel prod (the "bow" portion of the weapon).

Dec 11, 2025 · He excelled with the arbalest steel crossbow, winning the nickname the Arbalestier and joined Bahriyya regiment, the crack soldiers who defeated the Crusaders and became known as the …