COMPARATIVE MERITS OF THE LONG AND CROSS BOW.
How inefficient the cross-bow was found, when opposed by English archery, appears in every page of the histories of the fourteenth century.
Why long-bow superior.
The superiority of the long-bow mainly depended upon the strength and skill of the archer, while a greater amount of accuracy at shorter ranges could be had out of the cross-bow, with much less training; and the success of the English archers when opposed to cross-bowmen may be mainly ascribed to the more “rapid” fire of the former.
Celerity the great advantage of the long-bow.
It is generally conceded that the long-bow could deliver at least six shafts while the cross-bow discharged one; and, “with such odds against them, it became impossible for the bravest and most expert troops, whether at Cressy or elsewhere, to make a stand against their opponents”.
Cross-bow best on horseback.
On the other hand, the cross-bow was decidedly a more convenient weapon on horseback than the long-bow.