Yes, it is intended that crossbows are 1 handed.

Crossbows with shields? That really cool, reminds me of the medieval approach where crossbowmen carried a tower shield in order to stay in cover while they reloaded the crossbow, an action that needed time and staying uncovered in the middle of battle was something you didnt want to happen 

Pavise crossbows would be great if they actually worked that way or looked remotely like them.  Pretty sure they were so big they got lugged around on the dudes back ... then when they stopped to fight/shoot... they'd set the pavise up in front of them (on the ground)... hide behind it to shoot.  Yeah that'd be cool.  

But a dude with a crossbow in one hand and a round shield in the other.... how the heck does that work.     

I guess I just prefer things are bit more down the semi-realistic path.  But no drama, all good..  got a quick response, it's by design so at least I know, can't complain about that.

This is a magical land and one can enchant many things including a crossbow. The difficulty is retracting the crossbow, not the shooting of it. If it were enchanted to automatically retract, then there is no issue.