Genoese crossbowmen

As well, the mercenaries were equipped with a dagger, a light metal helmet, a gorget, a hauberk and a large shield, called a pavese (pavise), which was used while reloading the crossbow.

Emperor Frederick II, after the defeat at the siege of Parma triggered by a Genoese sally, ordered that the crossbowmen taken prisoner have their fingers cut off.

[2] During the Battle of Crécy, in August 1346, upwards of 5,000 Genoese crossbowmen, led by Ottone Doria and Carlo Grimaldi, were employed by the French in the first line against the English.

Unfortunately the precipitous nature of the French advance to Crécy had meant that the wagons containing the pavises and extra ammunition had been left behind and the crossbowmen found themselves unable to deploy in their usual well-protected teams.

Losing only a very small number of soldiers, the English won the battle handily through directed long distance shooting with longbows against the French men-at-arms and the Genoese crossbowmen.