Quote:
Originally Posted by Willy
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Crossbows for use on horseback, never used a stirrup, the common reloading method was bracing the butt against saddle or belly and pulling the string back with the arms. Even if you can stay mounted while using the crossbows stirrup, you would need at least a riding roll to stay in balance, and to make full use of the crossbows stirrup you need both arms, what is really difficult, even if the horse is walking. Mechanical reloading help like a winch is complete impossible. The typical combat method was riding towards emeny, fire the bolt, retreat, reload and again. Since a still standing rider is a nice target.
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I take your point about any reloading system that involved a crossbow stirrup (including windlass)
But if you can brace against the saddle or your torso and use a two handed draw, in theory you could use a goats foot or cranequin on horseback* I'd have thought?
Especially the smaller ones for hunting (cross bows for warfare using mechanical drawing systems tended to be quite big and heavy so not the best thing to juggling be about on horseback with).
*at some gaits anyway!