Trebuchet Trebuchets were probably the most powerful catapult employed in the Middle Ages. The most detailed account of Mangonel use is from “Eric Marsden's translation of a text written by Ammianus Marcellius in the 4th Century AD” describing its construction and combat usage. In terms of historical records, there's not much to go on. The word 'Onager' is derived from the Greek word 'onagros' for wild ass, referring to the “kicking motion and force” that were recreated in the Mangonel's design. Onager catapults initially launched projectiles from a sling, which was later changed to a “bowl-shaped bucket”. Onager Mangonels are also sometimes referred to as Onagers. Mangonels were relatively simple to construct, and eventually wheels were added to increase mobility. These missiles included anything from stones to excrement to rotting carcasses. Mangonels were mostly used for “firing various missiles at fortresses, castles, and cities,” with a range of up to 1300 feet. Mangonel These machines were designed to throw heavy projectiles from a “bowl-shaped bucket at the end of its arm”. This compromised the firepower though, making it an anti-personnel weapon at best. The Springald's frame was more compact, allowing for use inside tighter confines, such as the inside of a castle or tower. Springald The springald's design is similar to that of the Ballista's, in that it was effectively a crossbow propelled by tension. Because of their immobility, most Ballistas were constructed on site following a siege assessment by the commanding military officer. Ballistas are notable for their high degree of accuracy, but also their lack of firepower compared to that of a Mangonel or Trebuchet. These arrows were then shot “along a flat trajectory” at a target. The ammunition used were basically giant arrows or darts made from wood with an iron tip. The most widely used catapults throughout the Middle Ages were as follows: Ballista Ballistas were similar to giant crossbows and were designed to work through torsion. The Viking siege of Paris (885–6 A.D.) “saw the employment by both sides of virtually every instrument of siege craft known to the classical world, including a variety of catapults,” to little effect, resulting in failure. As well as attempting to breach the walls, incendiary missiles could be thrown inside-or early biological warfare attempted with diseased carcasses or putrid garbage catapulted over the walls.ĭefensive techniques in the Middle Ages progressed to a point that rendered catapults ineffective for the most part. Castles and fortified walled cities were common during this period - and catapults were used as a key siege weapon against them.
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