Welcome to Hotston Balistarius.

I’ve been making crossbows for the past four years, and I’m now moving into this as a full-time venture. My focus is on producing equipment that properly reflects the realities of medieval reenactment—particularly where certain periods have been underrepresented.

The 12th and 13th centuries, in particular, often see very few crossbows on the field, despite their historical prevalence. A lot of what’s currently available doesn’t quite capture the look, proportions, or feel of the period. My aim is to change that.

I produce a range of affordable, combat-safe crossbows designed specifically for reenactment use. Each one is built to strike a balance between historical accuracy, correct proportions, and practical durability—so they not only look the part, but perform reliably on the field.

Alongside crossbows, I also make bolts, arrows, and arrowheads. I’ll be expanding into a broader range of medieval archery equipment and accessories—such as quivers—in the near future.

I also take on bespoke commissions for higher-end builds. This includes historically accurate crossbows for 11th–13th century impressions, featuring details such as genuine antler roll nuts and triggers, as well as a wide range of custom options.