Siege Weapons

Siege weapons are large powerful machines of simple nature used in the attack or siege of castles, forts, holds or attacks from ship to ship.

Ballista- A ballista is nothing more then large crossbows that hurl large bolts 6-8 feet in length. A ballista could fire a bolt accurately up to 450 yards.

Catapult- This weapon uses a heavy wooden frame and the tension of twisted rope to fire large rocks or burning oil or tar. Catapults often called a mangonel or onager, could be fitted with wheels permitting them to be wheeled from place to place. There are two types of catapults light and heavy. The light catapult could fire a missile not in excess of 200 pounds up to 300 yards away. Heavy catapults can fire a missile up to 350 pounds for an effective range of 350 yards. Catapults can launch their missiles in a manner that allows them to fire almost direct or to launch their missiles high over trees or walls.

Cauldron, Suspended- This is not truly a siege weapon but more of a weapon used in defense of a besieged keep or castle. This weapon is consists of a large pot that is used to hold boiling oil or water or burning oil or tar that is then poured down on top of attackers attempting to force their way inside.

Gallery, Covered- This is a heavy, wooden, roofed construction often on wheels used to help protect attackers as they use their rams or try to dig under walls. This commonly is covered with green hides to help protect it from fire or burning oil. The roof was angled to shed liquids and other objects dropped from above.

Hoist- A hoist consists of a frame and a fulcrum and leaver. The lever is fitted with a basket at one end. A hoist can be used to lift 5 attackers up to 30 feet in the air.

Mantelet- A mantelet is a movable wall used as a shield to protect attackers. It is made of wood and has arrow slots for archers to fire through.

Ram- A ram is a large log used to batter down walls or doors. A ram is often suspended from a gallery by ropes and swung back and forth to batter.

Scaling Ladders- This is simply a wooden ladder made the height of the walls to be scaled.

Siege Tower- A siege tower is a large wooden tower set on wheels. The tower is then pushed against the walls and then attackers hidden inside drop a drawbridge to the top of the wall allowing them to storm over the walls.

Trebuchet- This powerful siege weapon is very simple it uses a heavy wooden frame and a lever and fulcrum. The long end of the lever is fitted with a sling to hold missiles the other end is fitted with a large weight. A trebuchet can launch a rock of 800 pounds accurately 500 yards although it can fire a smaller missile many times farther.

Undermine- This attack form consists of digging under a wall and then destroying the foundation thus causing the wall to crumble in large sections.