What is a hand trebuchet?
The hand-trebuchet (Greek: cheiromangana) was a staff sling mounted on a pole using a lever mechanism to propel projectiles. Basically a one-man traction trebuchet, it was used by emperor Nikephoros II Phokas around 965 to disrupt enemy formations in the open field.
What is the difference between a trebuchet and a catapult?
Catapult vs Trebuchet The difference between Catapult and Trebuchet is that Catapult is commonly used for hurling objects of small size and weight, while Trebuchet can throw heavy projectiles.
What are the different types of trebuchets?
There are three historical types of trebuchets: the traction trebuchet, the fixed counterweight trebuchet, and the swinging, or hinged, counterweight trebuchet, using two types of motive force: man power and gravity.
How big was Warwolf?
Modern estimates claim that the new trebuchet was 90-120 meters tall (300-400 ft), and was supposedly able to hurl projectiles at a speed of 190 km/h (120 mph).
Are trebuchets still used today?
Today trebuchets are used as teaching tools in high schools and colleges to learn about load, force, fulcrums, velocity, gravity, and parabolic arcs. They are also used as recruiting tools to lure students into engineering programs. Designing a trebuchet is an assessment of mechanical design and engineering skills.
What is the difference between a traction trebuchet and a counterweight trebuchet?
A traction trebuchet functions in the same way as a counterweight trebuchet, except that instead of a hoisted weight, the hurling arm is powered by a crew of men, pulling on ropes attached to the short lever arm. A counterweight trebuchet is powered by a very heavy counterweight, acting on a lever arm.
Was the Warwolf real?
The Warwolf, or War Wolf or Ludgar (French: Loup de Guerre), is believed to be the largest trebuchet ever made. It was created in Scotland by order of King Edward I of England, during the siege of Stirling Castle, as part of the Scottish Wars of Independence.
How big was the Warwolf trebuchet?
Modern estimates claim that the new trebuchet was 90-120 meters tall (300-400 ft), and was supposedly able to hurl projectiles at a speed of 190 km/h (120 mph). It could effectively toss stones weighing 135 kg (300 lbs) from distance of 200 meters (218 yards).
What kind of machine is a counterweight trebuchet?
Side view of counterweight trebuchet. The trebuchet is a compound machine that makes use of the mechanical advantage of a lever to throw a projectile.
What was the range of a trebuchet in medieval times?
The range given for projectiles are 300, 180, and 120 feet. They were used as defensive weapons stationed on walls and sometimes hurled hollowed out logs filled with burning charcoal to destroy enemy siege works.
When did the traction trebuchet become a siege weapon?
West of China, the traction trebuchet remained the primary siege weapon until the 12th century when it was replaced by the counterweight trebuchet.
When did Niketas Choniates make the first trebuchet?
The 12th century Byzantine historian Niketas Choniates may have been referring to a counterweight trebuchet when he described one equipped with a windlass, which is only useful to counterweight machines, at the siege of Zevgminon in 1165.