The earliest known crossbows were invented in the first millennium BC, not later than the 7th century BC in ancient China, not later than the 4th century BC in Greece (as the gastraphetes).

Who invented the crossbow in the Middle Ages?

History of the Crossbow

The Medieval Crossbow was introduced to England by William the Conqueror in 1066. The medieval Knight was the most powerful and effective warrior and said to be worth 10 foot soldiers, who were often just peasants who were regarded with the lowest esteem and considered expendable.

Did Vikings have crossbows?

These would be wooden hand-loaded crossbows initially used for hunting, not steel arbalests with wheelcrank loading systems. That said, the vikings used longbow (although not quite as hard as English or Welsh longbows) style bows and could be quite skilled with them - most men could hunt with a bow.