Frondeur wrote on Jun 13
th, 2019 at 8:45am:
well, history-wise, my guess would be that this kind of "peasant weapon" wasn't realy encouraged through middle ages, with the notable exception of the bow in england... so it feel out of the cultural background in most parts of europe.
Interestingly enough, Slingers were perhaps the only form of 'peasants' I.e serfs that were hired during the High/Late medieval period.
It seems that slingers were hired on an Ad-hoc basis and generally only for sieges, but you also see them at the battle of Falkirk and at Najeera, and slingers were present during the Hussite war.
Generally, I think that slings were more common than people imagine they were for the Medieval period, but they were less commonly used than in the classical period.
If you also want to read something interesting, you should look at this portion from the 'Kings Mirror', a Norwegian book written in the 1200's, which suggests that A knight should practice with archery or slinging.
Quote:Kings Mirror
It is also counted rare sport and pastime to take one's bow and go with other men to practice archery.
Another pleasant and useful diversion is to practice
throwing with a sling both for distance and for accuracy,
and with a staff sling as well as with a hand sling, and
to practice throwing stone missiles. Formerly the custom was for all who wished to become expert in such arts and thoroughly proficient in war and chivalry to train both hands alike to the use of weapons.
If that is not a document encouraging 'Knights' to try slinging... then I shall go and eat a hat.