SET OF TWO LARGE MEDIEVAL CROSSBOW BOLTS Ca. AD 900 - 1200. A set of two Medieval iron crossbow bolts covered in a rich russet-brown patina. Crossbows superseded bows throughout central Europe during the medieval period, with the notable exception of England and Wales. The crucial factor in the abandonment of bows on the European mainland was the time it took to train a competent user. A person could be trained to use a crossbow in just a few days, whilst an archer needed years to develop the muscle and bone structure necessary for the colossal draw-weights. Size: 82-89mm x 45641mm; Weight: 121g Provenance: Property of London gallery, acquired on the Austrian art market.