Academic literature on the topic 'History of crossbows'

Abstract. In ancient China, people integrated the original bow, the bowstring, and a cam mechanism to develop a powerful weapon which was named the crossbow. It was one of the most frequently used weapons during the 5th century BC to the 18th century AD. Because it used the elasticity of the bow and the bowstring to shoot arrows, it was used for long-distance attacks. After the 4th century BC, the technology of producing crossbows was very sophisticated. Since the topological structure of the crossbow has a different configuration during the shooting process, it is defined as a reconfigurable mechanism. This paper uses the topological matrix to present the topological structures of the original crossbow and the Chu State repeating crossbow. A brief history of the development of the crossbow in ancient China is given. The Mongolian traditional bow is provided as an example to describe the manufacturing process of the bow. Then, topological structures of the original crossbow and Chu State repeating crossbow are derived. The degrees of freedom of two crossbows are proposed to check the constrained motion. Finally, 3D computer graphics of two crossbows are presented to illustrate the shooting processes.

The article is devoted to the study of the functions of the characters’ weapons in A.N. and B.N. Strugatsky’s novel “Hard to be a God”. It is important for writing a commentary on the prologue of the novel. The authors used the historical-typological and mythopoetic research methods. As the result of reviewing the history of words-concepts, as it made by A.N. Veselovsky, the authors managed to study the intertextual connections of “Hard to be a God” with V.T. Shalamov’s poem “Crossbow” and his story “May”, as well as N.S. Gumilev’s poem “Just looks through the cliffs...” and E. Hemingway’s play “The fifth column”. Through these connections, the image of weapons is formed in the work of science fiction writers. It is necessary to destruct the mythological enemy – the sea monster, which symbolizes the social evil within the novel framework. As we have found out, the reason for such an intricate symbolism lies in the peculiarities of the age: the image of the sea monster standing for public evil is due to historical reasons. And since the elimination of social problems by such radical methods, according to the authors, is impossible, the movement towards a bright future should be only gradual and peaceful. As in reality, weapons are fundamentally unable to perform their task. Moreover, the weapon is dangerous for its owner, which indicates the ambivalence of the image. In addition, the comparison, important for the novel “Hard to be God”, of the past and future appears the first in the comparison of crossbows and carbines, further developing by other means. Weapons are involved in creating a number of important motives: doom, the danger of using force, and interference in the course of history.

This master's thesis deals with the manufacturing of a hunting crossbow prototype. The first part summarizes the history of crossbows, their historical development and usage. The following chapter contains theoretical knowladge about the technological methods that are used in the production. This is followed by a designing of the prototype, creating a technological process and final production. Final part of this thesis evaluates individual parts of the production and the final prototype.

This thesis engages with a broad range archival source from across Flanders to analyse poorly understood urban groups, the archery and crossbow guilds. The development and continuing importance of the guilds, as military and social groups, and as agents of social peace, will be analysed over six chapters. Chapter one traces the guilds’ origins and continuing military service. Proving a foundation date or a definitive origin for most guilds has proved impossible, but their enduring military importance can be established. In contrast to the assumptions of Arnade (1996), stating that after 1436 the guilds rarely served in war, I have shown that guilds served across the fifteenth century. Chapter two examines the guild-brothers themselves, through a prosopographical study of the members of the Bruges guilds. Many writers have assumed guilds to be ‘elite’ but no study to date has attempted to prove the status of guild-brothers. My use of several hundred different sources reveals numerous important details about guilds’ composition. Many ‘elites’ were present, but so too were members of all crafts and, in comparison with the militia records of 1436, many richer crafts were greatly underrepresented, but crucially no profession was excluded. Chapters three and four analyse respectively the devotions and community of the guilds. Both show the centrality of choice; that guilds were reactive and complex groups changing in response to the needs of members, who could include women, children and priests. Chapter five steps back from the guilds to examine their relationships with authorities. The rulers of Flanders granted privileges to guilds, but they also socialised with them. Great lords patronised and joined guilds, helping them gain rights and lands, but such relationships were mutually beneficial. Urban authorities also supported their guilds, through money, wine, cloth and even land the towns cherished their guilds not just as defenders, but as representatives of civic ideology. Chapter six demonstrates the guilds’ displays of honour and civic prestige at their best, through a study of their competitions. Competitions brought hundreds of armed men together, yet they did not provoke violence, rather, through the language of brotherhood and symbols of commensality, competitions rebuilt damaged communities. A study of competitions is far more than a study of spectacles; it is an analysis of the greatest forms of civic representation and the guilds becoming agents of social peace.

Cette thèse analyse la quête de distinction des bourgeoisies urbaines à l'époque moderne à travers le cas particulier des compagnies de chevaliers des nobles jeux de l'arc, de l'arbalète et de l'arquebuse, formes de sociabilité persistant tout au long de l'Ancien Régime. Le cadre d'étude est le royaume de France, du roi Henri IV jusqu'au 24 avril 1793, date du dernier décret mettant définitivement fin à ce qui reste de ces compagnies.Au gré du renforcement du pouvoir royal, cette thèse montre les enjeux pour les bourgeois du maintien de cette sociabilité dans l'espace public français. À l'intersection de l'histoire de la bourgeoisie, de l'histoire des sociabilités, de l'histoire des jeux et de l'histoire militaire des villes, elle permet de mettre au jour les rapports complexes des bourgeois avec les autorités municipales, royales et militaires. Elle révèle également une grande influence et une large présence de ces compagnies dans de nombreuses villes du Royaume, aspects encore trop méconnus.La première partie expose les origines diverses et amalgamées de ces compagnies, pour ensuite se consacrer à la passion de la bourgeoisie pour la sociabilité et les privilèges. Elle montre la structuration en sociétés urbaines d'élus, constituées en un ordre chevaleresque connu et reconnu à travers le Royaume, qui intéressera progressivement les habitants des faubourgs et villages. La seconde partie analyse les activités organisées par ces compagnies dans l'espace urbain, en particulier leurs exercices et concours de tir. Constitués en nobles jeux et en jeux olympiques de tir, les chevaliers renforcent et entretiennent l'idée que leurs exercices sont des jeux d'élite, réservés à l'élite. Outre la présentation des fêtes grandioses et de la théâtralité chevaleresque mises en scène, cette partie permet d'apprécier les enjeux de ces manifestations urbaines.La troisième partie permet quant à elle d'apprécier les jeux et enjeux des pouvoirs à travers la stratégie de distinction et de conservation des droits et exemptions des membres de ces compagnies. La dernière partie se concentre sur la place réservée à ces compagnies au sein de la milice bourgeoise et à leur caractère militaire volontairement affiché. L'étude des missions confiées par les villes à ces compagnies montre, à travers les siècles, un rôle militaire relativement fantasmé, accessoire et décrié. Occupant des places d'honneur et de sécurité, qui distinguent les chevaliers des nobles jeux des miliciens de quartiers, il faut attendre les turbulences de la Révolution pour observer quelques prises de risque, qui ne permettront toutefois pas d'éviter une fusion avec la Garde nationale
This thesis aims to analyze the quest for social distinction, which animated the French urban bourgeoisie all along the Modern Era, through the example of the Companies of Knights of the noble games of Archery, of the Crossbow and Arquebus – a kind of sociability that persisted over the whole Ancien Régime. The framework of our study is the Kingdom of France, from the last decade of the xvith century to April 24th 1793, the day when a decree put a definitive end to what had subsisted from the companies.Following the long rise of the French Royal power, this thesis shows how important it was – for the bourgeois – to maintain this sociability in the French public space. At the crossroad of bourgeoisie history, history of sociabilities, history of games and military history of the cities, it unveils the complex relationship between bourgeois on the one hand, and municipal, royal and military authorities on the other. It also reveals the great – yet still widely underestimated – influence and numerical importance of these companies were in many cities.Part One will be dedicated to the diverse and blended origins of these companies as well as to the passion the bourgeoisie had for sociability and privileges. This part demonstrates that the constitution of urban societies of elected members – forming a chivalric order known and acknowledged across the whole Kingdom – progressively raised interest among the inhabitants of the faubourgs and villages. Moreover, it enables us to appreciate the power games and stakes in the cities through the strategies of social distinction, exemptions and maintenance of rights deployed by the the companies’ members.Part Two turn to analyze the activities of thess companies in the urban space, aspecially the shooting exercises and competitions. Constitute in Noble games and Olympic games, the Knights reinforced and maintained the idea that their exercises where elitist games, reserved to an elite they where part of. In addition to exhibiting the magnificent feasts and the chivalric dramatization, this part highlights the social, cultural and political issues of these urban events.Part Three will focus on the place dedicated to the Companies within the urban militia and on their military aspect, which was voluntarily stressed. Studying the missions given to those companies over the centuries reveals that their military function was more ideal than actual, marginal and criticized. Confined to honour places or performing security missions – which distinguished the Knights of the Noble games from the city’s militiamen – it was not until the troubled times of the French Revolution that some risks were taken, yet it did not prevent the companies from getting merged into the Garde nationale
В этой диссертации анализируется поиск городской буржуазией самоидентификации в современный период через частный случай рыцарских обществ аристократических военных игр: «обществ стрельбы из лука, арбалета и аркебузы», которые являлись формами социализации, сохранившимися во Франции Старого порядка. Предметом изучения является Королевство Франция, начиная от короля Генриха IV и до 24 апреля 1793 года, даты последнего указа, положившего конец тому, что осталось от этих обществ.Это исследование демонстрирует проблемы и вызовы, с которыми сталкивалась буржуазия для поддержания данного социального взаимодействия в пространстве французского общества в период укрепления королевской власти. На стыке истории буржуазии, истории подобных обществ, истории игр и военной истории городов, изучение этих социальных взаимодействий позволяет выявить сложные связи между буржуазией и городскими, королевскими и военными властями. Это исследование раскрывает малоизученные аспекты огромного влияния и широкого присутствия этих обществ во многих городах Королевства.Первая часть данной диссертации представляет различные и разнородные истоки этих обществ, а также, иллюстрирует стремление буржуазии к формированию подобных сообществ и привилегиям. В дальнейшем, представляется возможность проследить интеграцию в городскую структуру выборных членов, сформировавшихся подобном в рыцарском обществе, известном и признанным во всем Королевстве, и которое постепенно вызывает интерес у жителей пригородов и деревень.Во второй части анализируются мероприятия, организуемые такими обществами в городской среде, в частности упражнения и соревнования по стрельбе. В процессе преобразования этих мероприятий в аристократические игры и олимпийские игры по стрельбе, рыцари укрепляли и поддерживали идею, что их развлечения - это привилегированные игры, предназначенные для определенной элиты. Помимо изучения процесса создания великолепной рыцарской постановки, эта часть исследования позволяет понять и другие аспекты этих городских представлений.Третья часть исследования содержит информацию об играх и влиянии властей на членов подобных обществ через стратегию разграничения и сохранения прав и свобод.Последняя часть посвящена тому месту, которое было отведено таким обществам в буржуазной милиции и их военному духу, который вставлялся напоказ. Изучение задач, возложенных городами на эти общества, демонстрирует, что на протяжении веков их военная роль была относительно выдуманной, незначительной, вспомогательной и осуждаемой. Занимая почетные места и места в охранных структурах городов, которые отличали рыцарей аристократических игр от окрестных ополченцев, эти общества встретили потрясения Революции, что не помешало, однако, их слиянию с Национальной гвардией

Presently, a black flag with a skull-and-crossbones (the ‘Jolly Roger’) is merely a cultural icon for piracy. This chapter excavates the flag’s deep roots in international law. First, the chapter uncovers that the flag (and prior to it a red banner known as ‘Oriflamme’) used to be a laws-of-war signal for the intention to summarily execute captured enemy (‘take no prisoners’/’deny quarter’). It was used not only by pirates. Second, the chapter shows that intriguingly, the flag’s history aids in exposing misconceptions regarding criminal justice. Domestic criminal law is considered the traditional form of criminal justice, whereas, except for piracy, international crimes (meriting universal jurisdiction) are considered a novel, post-World War II, creation. However, historically, universal jurisdiction was applied not only to piracy, but also to felonies (crimes classified today as domestic) and war crimes. That actual history of criminal justice and the Jolly Roger’s legal history were forgotten for similar reasons.