until the string is drawn back sufficiently to catch in the notch of the barrel of the stock. The winder is then removed from the stock, and the crossbow, after the bolt has been placed in position, is ready to discharge. During the process of winding back the string the crossbow is rested on the ground, butt upwards, and steadied by the crossbow man placing his foot in the stirrup-like form seen immediately in front of the bow. This type of cord and wheel winder was known as à tour, some state from the fact that it was wound à tour—by turn—and others solely on account of the architectural forms of tracery and mouldings decorating the tackle block of the winder, which often resembled a battlemented tower.
We may mention that in certain crossbows of early XVIth century date a double set of wheels are attached to the grasp-hook of the tackle, so that the cords pass over yet another pair of wheels before they are finally secured. The only difference this extra set of wheels makes is that, when they are used, the end of the cord is fastened to the tackle block and not to the grasp-hook. The outline drawing (Fig. 934) may help to explain the apparently elaborate working of the windlass à tour.
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Fig. 935. Crossbow with stirrup
Probably Italian workmanship, about 1490-1500. Presented by King Louis XII of France to the Archduke Philip of Austria Imperial Armoury, Vienna
It was the crossbow with the simple winder of this particular form that the Genoese archers used at the battle of Agincourt in 1415. An illustration of such a bow and winder, though in a comparatively later form, is to be seen accompanying that fine crossbow made for Louis XII of France, which is now in the Imperial Armoury, Vienna (Fig. 935). The
