Arbalest

The arbalest was a late variation of the crossbow. It was much larger and the actual "bow" part was made of steel. A good crossbowman could shoot two bolts per minute. Since an arbalest was much larger than earlier crossbows, it had a greater force. Arbalests were nearly claimed inhumane and were abolished by the Pope since an inexperienced crossbowman could kill a knight with a lifetime of training.

The pope in question was Innocent II, in whose name Canon 29 of the Second Lateran Council, (A.D. 1139, as translated in 'Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils', ed. Norman P. Tanner) states "We prohibit under anathema that murderous art of crossbowmen and archers, which is hateful to God, to be employed against Christians and Catholics from now on." Note that the anathema covered archers and crossbowmen, and was only on their use against 'Christians and Catholics'. In context, this proscription was probably a very late part of a wider, milennial attempt by the Church to limit warfare, known as the Peace of God movement.