Hunting
Aside from battles and fights, weapons are also useful for hunting. Hunting and setting traps were common methods of obtaining meat for food and fur for clothing. Furthermore, hunting for sport was a common activity among noblemen; in this context, weapons benefited the social aspects of upper-class society. It was considered to be an amusing, social pasttime, and by participating in the hunt, one was demonstrating their aristocratic status and identity, as it was an activity restricted for the upper-class. Consequently, weapons actively benefited communities by amassing resources and providing food for families and could serve as a source of entertainment. Essentially, the use of weapons in hunting reveals as much about hunting practices as it does the social aspects of the hunt.
Crossbows such as this were used by both foot and mounted soldiers in the 14th and 15th centuries. While crossbows were used both in battle and for hunting, this particular crossbow was used for hunting. Crossbows have been used for hunting since the 4th century, and in battles in Europe sometime before 1000 AD, though with controversial use. The design of the crossbow is useful for hunters, as they are very powerful due to the cranequin and use heavier bolts; it’s capable of slaying wolves, bears, and stags.
To see a similar crossbow be fired and to learn more about its design, click here.
Javelins, a type of lightweight spear, were used in both battle and hunting situations. As one, long object, the javelin would have been easily retrievable and reusable. They were used either by people on horseback or on foot. Spears have a long history of use in hunting, dating back to the Paleolithic period. As this is only the javelin head, it would have been attached to a pole or stick, then thrown while hunting.
To learn how to throw a spear for hunting, click here.
Le Livre de la Chasse is a 14th century manuscript written by Gaston III, Count of Foix. It details various medieval hunting techniques, and features many coloured illustrations depicting hunting scenes. In the image pictured here, a hunting party is depicted chasing a boar. It shows the party using a pack of dogs to chase and tire out the boar. Not only does it depict this popular method of hunting, but it also reveals the tools and weapons the hunting party uses: some hunters are on horseback while others run, one man carries a sword, one wields a crossbow, and the rest use javelins or spears. The aristocratic status of the hunters is also apparent in the image; some carry multiple weapons and some ride on horses with exquisite bridles, both of which are signs of wealth, as weapons and horses were expensive to purchase and maintain. Ultimately, Le Livre de la Chasse is a contemporary depiction showing how weapons such as crossbows and javelins were used in hunting during the Late Middle Ages.