Re: Sagittarius and crossbow

[reeds@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Jim Reeds)]

Is the topic under discussion the use of an image of a crossbowman
rather than of an archer as a Zodiacal sign, as Rafal first
asked?  Or is it whether the crossbow was unknown in parts of
Europe for long periods of time, and hence be useable to date and
locate the production of the VMS?

I think the crossbow was known throught all of Europe throughout
the late middle ages, as a glance at paintings of the period
will show.  The existence of bans against their use is further
proof that they were common, just as one knows that there must
be many hand guns in America because we have so many laws against
them.  (Further, the prohibition would not cover their use as
hunting weapons.)  I think there is picture of a crossbowman in
Villard de Honnecourt's sketch book (mid 1200's?) but I can't 
lay my hands on it now.

-- 
Jim Reeds, AT&T Labs - Research
Shannon Laboratory, Room C229, Building 103
180 Park Avenue, Florham Park, NJ 07932-0971, USA

reeds@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, phone: +1 973 360 8414, fax: +1 973 360 8178