Siege Machines 537-1480

For anyone fascinated by the sight of medieval siege machines in action, whether on screen or through modern reconstructions, this book provides a comprehensive exploration of medieval throwing engines, tracing their development from the classical world to the imaginative designs of Renaissance engineers.

Siege crossbows, springalds, traction trebuchets and counterweight trebuchets are all examined in detail, alongside more unusual and controversial weapons such as the mythical mangonel, the elusive hybrid trebuchet and the extraordinary bolt-throwing trebuchet. Particular attention is given to the counterweight trebuchet, exploring its principles, design, construction, assembly, ammunition, performance and use in warfare. Key medieval sieges are also examined to assess the contribution these formidable weapons made on the battlefield.

A separate chapter describes and illustrates the major full-scale modern reconstructions, providing valuable insight into how these machines may have operated in practice. The text is supported by more than 200 photographs, drawings and figures, while the appendix brings together an unrivalled collection of primary sources relating to medieval siege engines.

The author brings more than 30 years of practical experience to the subject, designing and constructing medieval throwing engines of all sizes and serving as a crew member on full-scale examples. For 15 years, he toured with his company’s largest trebuchet, staging castle sieges for English Heritage, Cadw and Historic Royal Palaces, including demonstrations at the Tower of London. He is currently designing a fourteenth-century trebuchet using only materials, techniques and equipment available during the medieval period.