Subject:
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Re: Trebuchets
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.castle
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Date:
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Wed, 14 May 2003 18:25:49 GMT
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Viewed:
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737 times
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In lugnet.castle, Johannes Koehler writes:
> I'm not sure if I understand the term 'trebuchet' correctly (Catapult,
> Onager?)
Ah, definition time... (another one for the Castle FAQ ???)
As I understand it, a siege engine or siege machine is any large device used
for siege tactics or warfare (this includes catapults, ballistae, rams,
moving towers, etc.) during ancient times or the Middle Ages.
Catapults are siege engines that are designed to throw objects (usually
stones or rocks, but they have been employed during war to throw anything
that could be used (I think in some horrible instances even bodies have been
thrown)). There are several types of catapults, each defined by the
mechanism that causes the hurling ability.
An onager was a heavy catapult used during ancient and medieval times.
A mangonel was another form of catapult used during medieval times.
From what I could find, both the onager and mangonel functioned using the
concept of torsion, whereby a rope, spring, or similar part was twisted or
cranked to create enough reactive torque to send the stone flying from a
basket. (Something like those little wind up toy cars I suppose.) This is
what we see most in period movies, such as in the opening scenes of
Gladiator. And I think most of the little finger-lever-action TLC set
catapults also represent these types.
A trebuchet (yes, pronounced the French way) was an advanced catapult that
used counterpoise. It looked like a seesaw suspended in a wooden frame. A
weight would drag one end down suddenly forcing the other end to fly up.
The loose end would have large sling attached that carried the stone into a
high arc of great range and force. According to Britannica.com, these
"counterpoise engines appeared in the 12th century..."
As for Lego® trebuchets, I have built several, repeating the same design.
However, mine were at mini-fig scale, about the size of the old Siege Tower
from TLC, and none of them actually functioned. They just looked cool in a
scene with other mini-fig scale items. I have a picture, but recently wiped
my site. I will see if I can't find it soon....
-Hendo
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Trebuchets
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| Hello John, There's a good write up on medieval siege weapons (they call them "non gunpowder artillery") at: (URL) use this as my main source, but I've found other sites with slightly different information. Stephen (22 years ago, 14-May-03, to lugnet.castle)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Trebuchets
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| Hello! (...) I'm not sure if I understand the term 'trebuchet' correctly (Catapult, Onager?) but I've built a catapult with (an mediocre good) working spring mechanism: (URL) would rather call it an Onager. Unfortunmatelly the Technic suspension (...) (22 years ago, 13-May-03, to lugnet.castle)
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