The late medieval version of a crossbow which was called an arbalest completely pushed the longbow out of the battles. Arbalests were much larger than original crossbows and had greater strength and force. These weapons could easily penetrate most knights’ armor. Arbalests were sometimes considered inhumane or unfair weapons, since an inexperienced crossbowman could use one to kill a knight who had a lifetime of training.

In 1139 Pope Innocent II even put a ban on arbalest, but medieval crossbowmen still existed, and continued to kill knights. Mercenary troops of crossbowmen were in high demand those days because of their skills - they could shoot two bolts per minute easily. And the commanding officer of the crossbowmen corps was one of the highest and privileged person in any army.

Later development of a crossbow allowed to use it in the cavalry. But the times of gunpowder weapons already began. Musketeers replaced crossbowmen and proved to be deadly against cavalry of heavy armored knights. Muskets could neutralize even the most heavily armored cavalry forces. Their widespread use put an end to the rule of a crossbow and completely changed the face of warfare.