"Ballista" was the term used to describe any kind of weapon that fired a missile. This term may well have been used as a title given to a bowman or a crossbowman.
Odo Balistarius was possibly the most important military technician in King William's army. For his services in the great battle Odo received lands in both Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Odo held lands in Bugthorpe, Barthorpe, Youlthorpe, Fridaythorpe, Thixendale, Raisthorpe, Scradiztorp, Swaythorpe and Grimston. He held the manor of Skirpenbeck in East Yorkshire which later, along with his Lincolnshire holdings, passed to his nephew Amfrey de Chauncy.
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