An Interesting Crossbow Accident, 1517

Jim McDougall · 3rd April 2011, 01:16 AM

Thank you so much Michael for posting this fascinating perspective on the dynamics and inherent dangers experienced in combat outside the obvious threat of enemy weapons. While artwork and iconography often show the images of pitched combat, and narratives often describe strategy and results, there is little attention typically given to these kinds of situations it seems. With your lifetime of intense scrutiny in examining a literal world full of artwork reflecting military themes and weapons, it is exciting to see these views seldom experienced by most of us who know only the key works and images.

It is extremely interesting to see how combatants might have been injured or even killed by thier own weapons. With the tremendous force involved in the workings of these crossbows, it would seem that this event might have occurred far more than might be imagined. In a ridiculously lesser analogy, who can say they have not stretched a rubber band to beyond its limit of expansion, with often momentarily painful result.....just magnify by umpteens!!!

I had always thought of the dangers of firearms exploding as well as cannon due to miscalculated charges or weakened or compromised metal....but hadn't really thought of this.

All the best,
Jim

3rd April 2011, 01:16 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Thank you so much Michael for posting this fascinating perspective on the dynamics and inherent dangers experienced in combat outside the obvious threat of enemy weapons. While artwork and iconography often show the images of pitched combat, and narratives often describe strategy and results, there is little attention typically given to these kinds of situations it seems. With your lifetime of intense scrutiny in examining a literal world full of artwork reflecting military themes and weapons, it is exciting to see these views seldom experienced by most of us who know only the key works and images. It is extremely interesting to see how combatants might have been injured or even killed by thier own weapons. With the tremendous force involved in the workings of these crossbows, it would seem that this event might have occurred far more than might be imagined. In a ridiculously lesser analogy, who can say they have not stretched a rubber band to beyond its limit of expansion, with often momentarily painful result.....just magnify by umpteens!!! I had always thought of the dangers of firearms exploding as well as cannon due to miscalculated charges or weakened or compromised metal....but hadn't really thought of this. All the best, Jim