Genoese crossbowmen

The Genoese crossbowmen (Italian: Balestrieri genovesi) were a famous military corps of the Middle Ages, which acted both in defence of the Republic of Genoa, and as mercenaries for other Italian or European powers.

Armed with crossbows made in Genoa by the Balistai Corporation, they fought both on land and in naval battles; notable cases of the latter are the battles of Meloria and Curzola. They came also from other parts of Liguria, but were trained and organized in Genoa.

Apart from the crossbow, they were equipped with a dagger, a light metal helmet, a gorget, a hauberk and a large shield, called a pavese (pavise), which was used while reloading the crossbow. A groom often supported the shield during the reloading. Commanders of the companies usually came from the noble families of the city.

The Genoese crossbowmen came to prominence during the First Crusade, when the Genoese commander Guglielmo Embriaco used them in the course of the siege of Jerusalem, and again at the Battle of Jaffa in 1192 during the Third Crusade. The Genoese crossbowmen remained one of the most respected military corps until the 16th century, well after the introduction of black-powder weapons in Europe.

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