The invention relates to a tiller for a crossbow which has a cocking lever in the form of an upper arm (1) and a lower arm (2) pivotally connected with each other about an axis (X) in the front part of the tiller, whereas in the rear part of the tiller said upper arm (1) is connected with the upper end of a butt (5), and said lower arm (2) is connected with the lower end of the butt (5) in the folded state of the tiller by means of a snap fastener (6). Said tiller for a crossbow can be assembled with any appropriate bows and trigger mechanisms, but preferably it is used with a novel bow for a crossbow which is also disclosed.