Medieval catapults Catapult

replica of petraria arcatinus



petraria arcatinus catapult in mercato san severino, italy



catapult 1 mercato san severino

castles , fortified walled cities common during period , catapults used siege weapons against them. use in attempts breach walls, incendiary missiles, or diseased carcasses or garbage catapulted on walls.

defensive techniques in middle ages progressed point rendered catapults largely ineffective. viking siege of paris (885–6 a.d.) saw employment both sides of virtually every instrument of siege craft known classical world, including variety of catapults , little effect, resulting in failure.

the used catapults throughout middle ages follows:

ballista
ballistae similar giant crossbows , designed work through torsion. projectiles large arrows or darts made wood iron tip. these arrows shot along flat trajectory @ target. ballistae accurate, lacked firepower compared of mangonel or trebuchet. because of immobility, ballistae constructed on site following siege assessment commanding military officer.


springald
the springald s design resembles of ballista, being crossbow powered tension. springald s frame more compact, allowing use inside tighter confines, such inside of castle or tower, compromising power.


mangonel
this machine designed throw heavy projectiles bowl-shaped bucket @ end of arm . mangonels used “firing various missiles @ fortresses, castles, , cities,” range of 1300 feet. these missiles included stones excrement rotting carcasses. mangonels relatively simple construct, , wheels added increase mobility.


onager
mangonels referred onagers. onager catapults launched projectiles sling, later changed bowl-shaped bucket . word onager derived greek word onagros wild ass , referring kicking motion , force recreated in mangonel s design. historical records regarding onagers scarce. detailed account of mangonel use “eric marsden s translation of text written ammianus marcellius in 4th century ad” describing construction , combat usage.


mongol warriors using trebuchet besiege city



trebuchet
trebuchets powerful catapult employed in middle ages. commonly used ammunition stones, darts , sharp wooden poles substituted if necessary. effective kind of ammunition though involved fire, such firebrands, , deadly greek fire . trebuchets came in 2 different designs: traction, powered people, or counterpoise, people replaced weight on short end . famous historical account of trebuchet use dates siege of stirling castle in 1304, when army of edward constructed giant trebuchet known warwolf, proceeded level section of [castle] wall, concluding siege .


couillard
a simplified trebuchet, trebuchet s single counterweight split, swinging on either side of central support post.


leonardo da vinci s catapult
leonardo da vinci sought improve efficiency , range of earlier designs. design incorporated large wooden leaf spring accumulator power catapult. both ends of bow connected rope, similar design of bow , arrow. leaf spring not used pull catapult armature directly, rather rope wound around drum. catapult armature attached drum turned until enough potential energy stored in deformation of spring. drum disengaged winding mechanism, , catapult arm snap around. though no records exist of design being built during leonardo s lifetime, contemporary enthusiasts have reconstructed it.




^ hacker, barton c, greek catapults , catapult technology: science, technology, , war in ancient world, jstor 3102042 .
^ catapults , middle ages, united kingdom .
^ catapults info, archived original on 2002-06-01 .