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The other hand-operated ranged weapons of the time had their own drawbacks. Crossbows had superior accuracy and similar power as compared to early hand cannons. However, they were expensive to make, slow to reload and their performance was almost as severely affected by wet weather as that of hand cannons. While the hand cannon could not match the accuracy nor speed of fire of the longbow, gunners did not require the special training and continuous practice from childhood required of a good bowman. Yew, the primary stave making material for the European longbow, became scarcer as the medieval period progressed. Firearms only supplanted longbows in [[England]] after almost all European yew supplies had been exhausted. | The other hand-operated ranged weapons of the time had their own drawbacks. Crossbows had superior accuracy and similar power as compared to early hand cannons. However, they were expensive to make, slow to reload and their performance was almost as severely affected by wet weather as that of hand cannons. While the hand cannon could not match the accuracy nor speed of fire of the longbow, gunners did not require the special training and continuous practice from childhood required of a good bowman. Yew, the primary stave making material for the European longbow, became scarcer as the medieval period progressed. Firearms only supplanted longbows in [[England]] after almost all European yew supplies had been exhausted. | ||
− | Contrary to popular belief, the development of hand gun did not immediately lead to the decline and eventual disappearance of bows and arrows. Rather they co-existed and each occupied a specific niche in the contemporary tactics. Being low on accuracy, hand cannons were preferred as skirmish weapons which the bearers would maneuver as individual or in small group so that they could discharge their deadly guns at the enemy's flanks at close to [[point blank]] range. Certain deaths combined with terrifying smoke and noise would break the enemy's morale and help allied infantry to push through. This tactic continued to be employed with superb effectiveness until the 16th century where arquebusiers were deployed on the flank of pike block in tercio formation. While hand cannon gradually became staple arms of the early modern warfare, the bow and crossbow slowly fell out of favor as they lacked the | + | Contrary to popular belief, the development of hand gun did not immediately lead to the decline and eventual disappearance of bows and arrows. Rather they co-existed and each occupied a specific niche in the contemporary tactics. Being low on accuracy, hand cannons were preferred as skirmish weapons which the bearers would maneuver as individual or in small group so that they could discharge their deadly guns at the enemy's flanks at close to [[point blank]] range. Certain deaths combined with terrifying smoke and noise would break the enemy's morale and help allied infantry to push through. This tactic continued to be employed with superb effectiveness until the 16th century where arquebusiers were deployed on the flank of pike block in tercio formation. While hand cannon gradually became staple arms of the early modern warfare, the bow and crossbow slowly fell out of favor as they lacked the superior penetration that hand cannon offered. |
==See also== | ==See also== |