Arbalest skilled arbalestier (arbalester) could loose two bolts per minute. The term "arbalest" is sometimes used interchangeably with "crossbow". "Arbalest" is a Medieval French word originating from the Roman name ' (from ' 'bow' + " 'missile-throwing engine'), which was then used for crossbows, although originally used for types of artillery. Modern French uses the word ", which is linguistically one step further from the stem (disappearance of the "s" phoneme in the last syllable, before "t"). The word applies to both crossbow and arbalest (the latter may be referred to as a "heavy crossbow", but an actual heavy crossbow may
The Weapon Makers The Weapon Makers The Weapon Makers is a science fiction novel by Canadian writer A. E. van Vogt. The novel was originally serialized in "Astounding Science Fiction" from February to April 1943. The serial version was first published in book form in 1947 with a print run of 1,000 copies. It was then thoroughly revised in 1952. All subsequent printings contain the 1952 text. The events in the novel take place approximately seven years after the events described in "The Weapon Shops of Isher" (1951) even though the serial was published before some of the other Isher stories contained in