The Genoese crossbowmen were a famous military corps of the Middle Ages, which acted both in defence of the Italian city 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.

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  • The Genoese crossbowmen were a famous military corps of the Middle Ages, which acted both in defence of the Italian city 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, which was used while reloading the crossbow. A groom often supported the shield during the reloading. Commanders of the several companies came usually from the noble families of the city. The presence of the Genoese crossbowmen was highly feared, due to the efficiency of their weapons and their organization. Often, the simple presence of their banner was enough to lead the opponent to change his battle plans.
  • Distintisi in molte battaglie, sia a difesa della Repubblica di Genova, che come mercenari al soldo di altre nazioni, i balestrieri genovesi furono uno dei corpi scelti più celebri del Medioevo, essendo stimati e schierati in battaglia da molti eserciti. Utilizzando la balestra, costruita dai balistai della Repubblica, i balestrieri genovesi potevano essere impiegati sia sulla terra (durante gli assedi, ma anche in battaglie campali), che durante le battaglie navali come nella battaglia della Meloria e in quella di Curzola. I balestrieri venivano reclutati da ogni parte della Liguria, e allenati nel capoluogo, dove potevano approfondire l'arte bellica in questa potente arma, antenato del fucile. Oggi il gruppo storico Compagnia Balestrieri del Mandraccio, con fedeli riproduzioni di vestiti, armi ed accessori, rievoca periodicamente i fasti e l'abilita' di questo corpo militare.
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  • The Genoese crossbowmen were a famous military corps of the Middle Ages, which acted both in defence of the Italian city 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.
  • Distintisi in molte battaglie, sia a difesa della Repubblica di Genova, che come mercenari al soldo di altre nazioni, i balestrieri genovesi furono uno dei corpi scelti più celebri del Medioevo, essendo stimati e schierati in battaglia da molti eserciti.
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  • Genoese crossbowmen
  • Balestrieri genovesi
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