Siege weapons were used in the middle ages during the Medieval times. They launched bolts, stones, and boulders. These weapons would also be armed with many burning materials. The weapons that were used were the ballista, catapult, battering ram, mangonel, trebuchet and a siege tower.
The ballista was similar to a crossbow and only worked by using tension. This was the smallest and most maneurverable. A catapult threw objects by the release of tension hold it down. This was a form of spring, when released, will toss an object towards the enemy. The battering ram were used to pound, punch, drill and shake into castle gates, doors and walls. The mangonel shot missiles from a bowl-shaped bucket from the end of the arm. The trebucthet had a lever and a sling that was used to throw stones weighing 200 pounds or more with a range of 300 yards or more. Last is the siege tower, and this was designed to protect attackers. This was rectangular and about the height of the wall it was in front of.
All of these were to fight the crusaders who were a threat to the Holy Land. Siege weapons were made to order when needed. No weapon was similar to any other. During this time of construction, the attackers would look into terms of surrender. Siege weapons are still used today, not really in fighting, but just for the fun of it or to use for destruction.
The ballista was similar to a crossbow and only worked by using tension. This was the smallest and most maneurverable. A catapult threw objects by the release of tension hold it down. This was a form of spring, when released, will toss an object towards the enemy. The battering ram were used to pound, punch, drill and shake into castle gates, doors and walls. The mangonel shot missiles from a bowl-shaped bucket from the end of the arm. The trebucthet had a lever and a sling that was used to throw stones weighing 200 pounds or more with a range of 300 yards or more. Last is the siege tower, and this was designed to protect attackers. This was rectangular and about the height of the wall it was in front of.
All of these were to fight the crusaders who were a threat to the Holy Land. Siege weapons were made to order when needed. No weapon was similar to any other. During this time of construction, the attackers would look into terms of surrender. Siege weapons are still used today, not really in fighting, but just for the fun of it or to use for destruction.
Cited Sources:
- http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/siege-weapons.htm
- http://www.castles.me.uk/medieval-siege-weapons.htm
- http://medievallifestyle.com/siege-engines/index.html