Medieval Weaponry

Catapults & Their

importance on the battlefield
Catapult Structure

 The catapult was developed by the greeks during 400 common era. The catapult
worked by storing large amounts of stone and other projectiles in the part
of the catapult known as the “bucket” before launching these at the enemy
towers using torsion (Rotational force) from twisted ropes. The catapult
was made of many parts such as: The base and frame, used for
supporting the catapults weight and action; Ropes, Stores energy by
stretching or winding up over time whilst attached directly to the arm;
Restraining rope, The restraining rope acted as if a trigger and once
released sent the projectiles into the air; Payload, The payload was the
weapon or projectile store in the bucket of the catapult; Counterweight, the
counterweight balanced the catapult to stop it from tipping before firing.
Catapults importance on the battlefield

 Catapults were used in siege warfare during 400 Common Era until it was
replaced by the trebuchet during the 12th century. The catapult was
commonly selected weapon for when you needed to take out large
structures such as castles and during its time was the only mechanism
that could do so. This was more effective then sending knights to attack
the castle as they were easily ambushed. The catapults could fire over
long distances and up steep hills which made them an important weapon
on the battlefield. Although the catapult proved well in the battlefield it still
had flaws such as the fact it took time to be loaded and fired and had to be
done manually. Catapults were made of a majority of wood which made
then quick and cheap to make which is part of the reason why they were
so popular however the payload/projectiles had to be gathered separately.