Catapults (middle-ages.org)
Catapults were a weapon used during the Middle Ages in siege warfare. Catapults
were devices for hurling stones or other objects.
Description of Catapults
The siege weapons used during the Middle Ages included different types of
Catapults. These massive Catapults were an invaluable Medieval siege attack
weapons. Any machine that hurls an object can be considered a catapult, but the
term is generally understood to mean the medieval weapon. The designs of many
Catapults worked by a central lever mounted in counterpoise, similar to a see-saw
movement.
Types of Catapults
The different types of Catapults used in the Middle Ages included:
The Ballista - The Ballista was similar to a Giant Crossbow and worked by using
tension
The Trebuchet - The massive Trebuchet consisted of a lever and a sling and was
capable of hurling stones weighing 200 pounds with a range of up to about 300
yards
The Mangonel - Missiles were launched from a bowl-shaped bucket at the end of
the one giant arm of the Mangonel
The Springald - A type of Ballista
The Onager - A type of Mangonel
King Edward I ordered his chief engineer, Master James of St. George, to begin work
on a new, more massive engine called Warwolf, a version of the trebuchet. The
Warwolf is generally thought of as the most powerful and most famous of the
trebuchets in history.
Definition and Origin of the Catapults
The word 'Catapult' comes from the two Greek words "kata" and "pultos". "Kata"
means downward and "pultos" refers to a small circular shield which was carried in
battle. Katapultos was then taken to mean "shield piercer".
Catapults History
The Catapults history dates back to antiquity. Various types of catapults were used
by the Chinese, Greeks and Romans. The Catapults reached Europe during the
Medieval era and were used extensively by the French. Catapults history notes that
the weapons were introduced to England in 1216 during the Siege of Dover - as
were many other types of siege weapons. Louis the Dauphin of France crossed the
Channel with a large force and laid siege to Dover Castle making a violent and
incessant attack on the castle walls. He used the Catapults against the walls and men
of Dover Castle. The constable of Dover castle was Hugh de Burgh - he refused to
surrender. The Medieval Catapults used during the Middle Ages were the Mangonel,
the ballista and the mighty trebuchet. The Mangonel complimented the other
available siege weapons. The Mangonel was not as accurate as the Ballista but it was
able to throw missiles further than a Trebuchet. Missiles were thrown in an
overhead arc as opposed to the straight trajectory of the dart throwing Ballista.
Medieval Catapults - The Ballistas
The Ballista design was similar to a giant crossbow and worked by using tension.
The Ballistas were designed to aim huge wooden, iron clad, darts or arrows which
were powered by twisted skeins of rope, hair, or sinew - the ballista design was
based on a huge dart-throwing machine. The Ballistas loosed heavy bolts, darts and
spears along a flat trajectory. The word 'Ballista' is derived from the Greek word
'Ballistes' meaning to throw. The ballista - one type of the Medieval catapults of the
Middle Ages. For detailed information and facts about the Ballista type of Medieval
catapult please click the following link:
Medieval Ballista Catapults - the Springald
The ballista was designed as a giant catapult. One type of ballista was a tensiondriven device called a springald. The springald closely resembled a crossbow in
function with a vertical springboard fixed at its lower end to a timber frame. The
springboard moved like a lever.
Medieval Catapults - The Mangonels
Mangonels fired heavy projectiles from a bowl-shaped bucket at the end of its arm.
The Mangonel was used for aiming various missiles at castles, fortresses and cities.
This type of catapult was easy to construct and wheels were added to the design to
ensure manoeuvrability. The Mangonels were capable of firing projectiles up to
1,300 feet. For detailed information and facts about the Mangonel type of Medieval
catapult please click the following link:
Medieval Catapults - The Onager
The Mangonel is also referred to as the Onager. Missiles from the Onager catapults
were originally thrown from a sling - the sling was later changed for a bowl-shaped
bucket. The word Onager refers to a type of donkey, whose kicking motion and force
were paralleled in the Mangonel and derives from the Greek word 'onagros' which
means a wild ass.
Medieval Catapults - The Trebuchets
The Medieval Catapults used during the Middle Ages were the Mangonel, the ballista
and the mighty trebuchet. Missiles thrown from the Trebuchet catapults were
deadly. The Trebuchet is generally associated with throwing stones. A Trebuchet
could release up to 2000 stones in one day! Should the supply diminish sharp
wooden poles and darts would be used. Fire caused havoc in a besieged castle or
city and a variety of fire missiles, including firebrands and deadly Greek Fire were
thrown. The Traction Trebuchet catapults used people as a power source. The
Counterpoise Trebuchet catapults replaced the people power with a weight on the
short end.
Building Catapults
Building a Catapults required considerable design and building skills. Siege
weapons, such as the Catapults, were made to order! They were far too cumbersome
to move from one place to another. In a siege situation the commander would assess
the situation and the siege weapons design requirements to break a siege. Engineers
would instruct soldiers as to the construction and building of siege weapons such as
the Catapults.