the occupation of witnesses on format charters, treaties, and elevations. We can get a good idea of when crossbows were used by looking in these records for mention of crossbows, bolts, strings and other items pertaining to the crossbowman. In 1060, a witness to a charter between William I and Richard de Redvers identifies himself as Fulcher the crossbowman. The term used at this time is arcibalister which leaves no doubt about its translation or meaning. Soon after this, more treachery was recorded, when Judith attacked her father Henry I with a crossbow. It was not long before the language developed specific vocabulary for this device, the first of such words being the french arbaleste. With this new set of words, the work of the researcher becomes much easier. We will look at two primary sources for information on the use of the crossbow at Hastings. First, it should be noted that this battle was the first in which Archery can be proven to have had significant results. This is documented by William of Poitiers, the conqueror`s chaplain, in The Deeds of William. Also the Carmen de Hastings Proelio (Song of the Battle of Hastings), either written by or based on the verse chronicles of Guy of Amiens. The first of these is a military log, written by a knight who became a chaplain, and is thus more technical when describing equipment and troop placement and movements. It provides the needed information to form a skeleton of ideas that can support pieces of other less literal sources. First, William of Potiers states that men using balistae are sent forward with the bowmen and are moved away to make way for the cavalry. Though the term balistae is vague, the mobility of these men assures that it was the hand weapon we call crossbow. They were light infantry, front rank, using speed and mobility to make up for lack of armor. They were moved out of hand combat range when the heavy infantry and cavalry engaged. In adding details from the Carm...
