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The Atomic Bomb of the Middle Ages
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Nova Medieval Siege DVD


"If you've ever had a hankering to build a full-sized trebuchet, but have yet to get that project together, this video will either satisfy that urge or make you crazy . . . An absolutely fascinating look at what was the equivalent of field artillery in the 13th and 15th centuries, this episode from NOVA is highly recommended."
- Video Librarian

Watch a team of timberframers construct two full-scale trebuchets!
In 1304 the Scots must have felt safe inside the massive stone fortress that was Stirling Castle, and well prepared for a long battle with the army of England's King Edward the First. But then 50 of the King's carpenters showed up to create the medieval equivalent of the atomic bomb- a massive trebuchet they called "Warwolf".

In this video you will see a team of timberframers, using medieval tools and techniques, re-create two competing versions of the Warwolf on the banks of Loch Ness, and use them to hurl 250 lb stones into a castle wall!

About the video-
Two competing theories about trebuchet design, the fixed counterweight vs. the hanging counterweight, are tested as the English land owner Hew Kennedy oversees the fixed counterweight machine, and Renaud Beffeyte, the French medieval expert and master carpenter oversees the hinged counterweight machine.

Each design has its advantages and potential problems. The fixed counterweight machine requires wheels in order to prevent it from becoming unstable. This makes the frame more complicated, but surprisingly the wheels increase the machine's performance!

The hinged counterweight machine is bigger in order to accommodate the large hanging basket of sand, but it is more stable and can be set firmly on the ground, making a simpler frame. And it's able to be constructed in much less time.

Both are impressive machines, and amazingly accurate considering the weight of the missiles and and the distance they are thrown. Also included is a demonstration of a traction trebuchet, not powered by counterweights, but by teams of men pulling on ropes. And a longbow archer tries his hand at picking off a soldier at 200 yards! This is a fabulous video!

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    Price: $21.95
    Minimum age: 3
    Availability: out of stock

    Item code: 93008


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Interesting Notes

Some Trebuchet History:

From the 13th century writing: "Itinerarium Peregrinorum et Gesta Regis Ricardi"

In June and July of 1191, Richard the Lionheart (the Duke of Normandy) laid siege to the city of Acre as part of the medieval Crusades.

The Duke concentrated on constructing siege machines and placing trebuchets [petrariae - literally, stone hurler] in suitable places. He arranged for these to shoot continually day and night. He had one excellent one which he called "Bad Neighbor" [Malvoisine]. Its continual bombardment partly destroyed the main city wall and shattered the Cursed Tower. On one side the Templars' trebuchet wreaked impressive devastation, while the Hospitallers trebuchet also never ceased hurling, to the terror of the Turks.

Besides these, there was a trebuchet that had been constructed at general expense, which they called "God's Stone-Thrower". A priest, a man of great probity, always stood next to it preaching and collecting money for its continual repair and for hiring people to gather the stones for its ammunition. This machine at last demolished the wall next to the Cursed Tower for around two perches' Length [11 yards or 10 meters].

The count of Flanders had had a choice trebuchet, which King Richard had after his death, as well as another trebuchet which was not so good. These two constantly bombarded the tower next to a gate which the Turks frequently used, until the tower was half-demolished. Besides these, King Richard had two new ones made with remarkable workmanship and material which would hit the intended target no matter how far off it was. . . . He also had two mangonels [traction trebuchets] prepared. One of these was so swift and violent that its shots reached the inner streets of the city meat market.

King Richard's trebuchets hurled constantly by day and night. It can be firmly stated that one of them killed twelve men with a single stone. That stone was sent for Saladin to see, with messengers who said that the diabolical king of England had brought from Messina, a city he had captured, sea flint and the smoothest stones to punish the Saracens. Nothing could withstand their blows; everything was crushed or reduced to dust.