english
Ex Member
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It is a good picture, but I have always been taught to analyse source providence. I very much doubt the engraver was at a battle somehow, and may have embellished. However, it is a good picture, quite convincing, and evidence does seem to suggest knowledge of such weapons. Anyways, I prefer the staff sling to the sling in some respects, particularly consistency of cast, amongst othe things. I am sure the sling was used in Europe during that time, certainly in the balearics, where it never died out, and hasn't yet. It is probable that peasants and poachers would have used the sling for birds, because poaching was illegal, and owning a bow is quite conspicuous. Also, a sling is easier to make. I cannot really see the gentry using the sling, on account of the fact that it is not (let's be honest here) a very noble weapon. I recall someone on this forum saying something about sling use in medieval battles, something about the battle of Najera. That was in the fourteenth century, I believe. So there is some use of the sling in battle in late medieval Europe, but it seems to be in Spain, or Spanish territory, and the Spanish seem to be closely connected to the sling. Anyways, there must have been some use, but I guess it is like a .22 now; people use them for sport, but you would never use one in battle unless you had to, and they aren't much mentioned in many texts.
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