- Genoese crossbowmen
The Genoese crossbowmen ( _it. Balestrieri genovesi) were a famous military corps of the
Middle Ages , which acted both in defence of the Italian city ofGenoa , and as mercenaries for other Italian orEurope an powers.Armed with
crossbow s made in Genoa by the "Balistai" corporation, they fought both on land and in naval battles; notable cases of the latter are the battles of Meloria and Curzola. They came also from other parts ofLiguria , but were trained and organized in Genoa.Apart from the crossbow, they were equipped with a
dagger , a light metalhelmet , agorget , ahauberk and a largeshield , called a "pavese" (pavise ), which was used while reloading the crossbow. A groom often supported the shield during the reloading. Commanders of the several companies came usually from the noble families of the city.The presence of the Genoese crossbowmen was highly feared, due to the efficiency of their weapons and their organization. Often, the simple presence of their banner was enough to lead the opponent to change his battle plans.
History
The Genoese crossbowmen came to prominence during the
First Crusade , when the Genoese commanderGuglielmo Embriaco used them in the course of thesiege of Jerusalem , and again at theBattle of Jaffa in 1192 during theThird Crusade . The Genoese crossbowmen remained one of the most respected military corps until the 16th century, well after the introduction ofblack powder weapons in Europe.The heavy losses created by Genoese crossbows led medieval monarchs to extreme measures.
Emperor Frederick II , after the defeat at thesiege of Parma triggered by a Genoese sally, ordered that the crossbowmen taken prisoner have their fingers cut off.During the
Battle of Crécy (1346 ), 6,000 Ligurian crossbowmen were deployed by the French in the first line. When they came under heavy fire from theEnglish longbowmen , the Genoese commander, Ottone Doria, ordered his troops to retreat. This was seen as a desertion by KingPhilip VI of France , who ordered his cavalry to charge without care of the Genoese retreating in face of them. Most of the crossbowmen were killed, their commander included. Profiting from the ensuing confusion, the English won the battle.
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