Christianity Quote by Simon Schama
““The second Lateran Council of 1139 had attempted, optimistically, to ban the use of the crossbow by Christians against fellow Christians. But no warlord worth his salt was going to do without them, so Jewish crossbowmen were trained as a special corps for the king, and became famous for specialising in the weapon throughout the kingdom.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Story of the Jews, Simon Schama, 2013
Attempts to ban crossbows failed; practical warfare needs effective tools, leading to Jewish crossbowmen’s prominence.
In simple terms: War demands effective weapons, regardless of bans.
Key Takeaway
Adapt tactics to realities over ideals.
Themes
war
technology
religion
policy
military strategy
Mood
critical
historical
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- military planning
- policy making
- cultural integration
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
weapon ethics
pragmatism
historical adaptation
Questions to Reflect On
- What ethical limits should apply to wartime technology?
- How do cultural groups adapt to prohibited weapons?
A Different Perspective
Idealistic bans often clash with battlefield necessities.
