How Fast Is Crossbow Bolt?

Modern crossbow bolts fire at 120 m/s — faster than most handguns. The crossbow was so effective that the Pope tried to ban it as inhumane in 1139, allowing it only against non-Christians — a ban that was universally ignored across Europe.

The Pope banned crossbows as too dangerous in 1139 — though only against fellow Christians. The ban was universally ignored.

• Faster than most handguns
• Banned by the Pope in 1139