Crossbows and bows in the discoidal stelae.
I have found five stelae bearing the representation of a crossbow, in the cemeteries of Gréciette, Alay, Libarrenx, Helette and Troisvilles. Only one is dated, that of Grciette (1503). It can be admitted that the others are contemporary and probably older, like those of Libarrenx and Alay, whose relief is very faded and the workmanship is rough. Except for that of Gr ciette, on which one can read, without much certainty, a name: Stelbot (?), they are anonymous. I will point out, in passing, that this fact confirms the opinion emitted in the course of this work: the oldest stelae are anonymous and undated. More than ever I am convinced that Basque cemeteries contain numerous discoidal cemeteries from the 16th, 15th and perhaps 14th centuries; but the absence of data never allows us to affirm it with certainty. It is beyond doubt that these monuments indicate a crossbowman's grave. It is known that the crossbow was a fearsome weapon and that it was in use for a long time, even when firearms multiplied. Inventories from the 16th century, published by Duc r , still mention this weapon in the arsenals of Bayonne. He dedicated a piece of news to the various crossbows manufactured in Bayonne ( Dictionnaire Historique de Bayonne , volume I, article "Crossbows and Crossbowmen", pages 36 and 37). The reputation of the weapons manufactured in this city was great. It is probably very difficult to identify the summary representations that appear in the aforementioned discoidal ones with the different variants cited by Duc r . The cat or "cry" is visible in some of them. The stirrup, which served to tighten the weapon, is represented, sometimes even disproportionately, as in the crossbow of Allah. The cuadrillos, short and massive arrows that the crossbow launched, are indicated on three stelae, those of Gréciette, Libarrenx and Al ay. The Gréciette stela has numerous representations of various objects that lend themselves to various interpretations. You can recognize in it the case in which the crossbowmen kept their squares. The pu al is clearly appreciated. As for the crossed cross and the miter, easily recognizable, they allow us to believe that we are in front of a crossbowman's tomb having served in the company of men-at-arms that the prior of Roncesvalles had the right to maintain. This stela is one of the most interesting of all those that survive in Basque cemeteries. Unfortunately it is engraved in the line and often not very deeply. The lichens that covered it have helped to make certain details disappear. To the five stelae mentioned above, we should add that of Sunharette, which probably represents a hunter aiming at game. The relief is barely recognizable and it does not appear that the relief was very deep. It is known that a light crossbow, called a "jalet" crossbow, was still used for hunting in the 17th century. Let us finally mention the Etchebar discoid. On the reverse, two banded bows are represented, provided with their arrows. This stela dates from the second half of the 15th century at the latest.