A crossbowman or wielder of a
arbalest . During the 14th century they generally wore a
mail hauberk to defend the body, a
bascinet to defend the head, sometimes with a
collarette of
iron to defend the throat. Almost always a footman, the crossbowman sometimes wore a
surcoat bearing the livery of affiliation. During the 15th century the hauberk was generally replaced with a
brigandine and the use of a
pavaise , a head-to-tow shield, was often brought out as a semi-portable defense that the man could hide behind as he reloaded so that he would not be cut down by arrows, other crossbow bolts, or by charging horsemen.
