Here is my load out worth 980 denards
Siege bow
(using any other is stupid, considering the negligible speed difference, A good crossbowman will take more time aiming then reloading anyway.)
Free armour
Free boots
2nd tier sword
2nd tier shield
3rd tier helmet. ( not as good as it sound

)
OFFTOP ON!
Why are crossbowman so light? Take a look at a nord archer, they can always afford the top bow plus hauberk.
I mean a crossbowman is no where near as mobile as a archer, they are mostly stationary, they need more armour.
No crossbowman should ever be less armoured then an archer, that's ridiculous, swadian shield for crossbowman, leaves you
very vulnerable against archers, very very vulnerable.
OFFTOP OFF!
My bolts got stopped by free shields twice now, and once at 5 meter range.
I'm not 100% sure, but From my experience it has never been possible for a crossbow man to shoot past the shield like an archer, i need to this to be confirmed.