crossbow - cross bowing stag weekends

crossbow STAG DO INTRO
the crossbow has been traced as far as the sixth century BC in China, but its use was not widespread in Europe until 1000ad. Its first introduction into Britain was supposed to be at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
A crossbow had a wooden stock, with the bow – which could be made of wood, iron or steel – crossing it. The string was pulled back by a lever, then the bolt or quarrel was laid in a groove on the top of the stock and the trigger was pulled.
By the end of the thirteenth century use of the crossbow had declined – it was being replaced by the longbow. At the Battle of Agincourt (1415) only a relative handful of the soldiers were crossbowmen while there were as many as 5,000 longbowmen. However, in Europe, the crossbow continued to be the preferred weapon until the end of the fifteenth century.
format
the crossbow is aimed at a bullseye target. The activity will usually an hour for the group to complete.
availability
7 days per week.
seasonal
weekends or weekdays.
group size
6+.
comment
use the same skills as your ancestors but this time aim the crossbow to hit a bullseye. This target activity is best combined with a motorised sport to experience the different spectrum of activities.
available in
Bath, Bristol, Chester, Reading, Sheffield