The prison tower of Radensdorf is a structure of considerable size. What's more, since it was a prison used to hold important figures, it was quite well equipped with defensive facilities.
On top of that, the Guard troops had set up a barricade in front of the prison tower's main gate and formed a defensive line. If the Guard soldiers had all been infantry, I would have charged through boldly, but crossbowmen were mixed in, which made things difficult.
I have to break through here in seven minutes?
A crossbow can't pierce a breastplate, but at close range it's a tremendously powerful weapon, capable of punching through the relatively thin arm and shoulder guards. It's like the natural enemy of heavy cavalry.
The world-renowned Italian crossbowmen are known for their pavise shields, as big as their own bodies, which they prop up while reloading, letting them pour on attacks while almost perfectly shielding themselves from enemy archers.
