Hi there,

I'm working on a history documentary series that is looking at the crossbow and how it has been used in history. I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of the crossbow being used in assassinations or attempted assassinations?

Many thanks for you help.

Lisa

Not sure about assassinations, but I have read that a Song Dynasty crossbow sharpshooter sniped the Liao Dynasty general Xiao Talin in the Battle of Shanzhou in 1004.

Eric (En Rui)

well, what do you consider assassination ? Many generals and officials were killed via crossbow i'm sure...

I faintly remember reading that in Osprey, but it's hard for me to find any deeper info on it(the course of battle, the lives of the general, etc...). Do you have any additional info by any chance?

.

Thanks very much for this info, that's really helpful. I'll go and research this story now

History shows that Captain Jack Churchill (later a Lt Colonel) of the Royal Manchester Regiment used a bow and arrow against the advancing Germans at l’Epinette, near Bethune, France in 1940 I remember reading when I was much younger in "Commando" by Brigadier-General Peter Young that this was a crossbow, but I may be wrong, and it may have been a longbow. In any event, it would make a nice sideline for your doco perhaps.

Funny that you should mention Osprey Publishers, since I got it from this source:

Peers, C.J. (2006). Soldiers of the Dragon: Chinese Armies 1500 BC-AD 1840. Oxford: Osprey Publishing.

...which only mentions the event in passing, unfortunately.

Eric (En Rui)