Weapons+of+the+Crusades

__** Siege weapons **__


 * During the time of the crusades most cities were protected by large impenetrable walls. As a result of this, siege weapons were often used to try to break through or get over these huge walls. Since most siege weapons were very large and difficult to move so they were constructed very close to where they were to be used. The engineers would tell the soldiers what to do and they would construct it. **


 * Battering Ram: Probably the most famous of all siege weapons. Battering rams of the crusades were mostly made of large tree trunks which often had some kind of metal on head of the ram. They were used to target the doors of walls or castles and were also used on the edges of a wall in an attempt to weaken the structure. It would sometimes take up to 100 men to lift it and direct the battering ram at it's target. Sometimes they would be mounted on wheels to aid in the effectiveness of pushing against the intended target. **




 * The Mangonel: The word mangonel comes from the Latin word meaning "an engine of war." The Mangonel consisted of one large wooden arm that stood straight up. At the end of this wooden arm was a bucket. A rope, usually made from human hair and animal tendons, was strung through the bottom of the wooden arm. When the arm was pulled backwards the rope would twist causing tension. Then the arm would be released and it would be sprung forward. Then the arm would hit a bar that was set horizontally in the arm's way and the object in the bucket would be flung to it's intended target. **


 * Siege Tower: The main purpose for a siege tower was to protect attacking troops while they attacked a castle or city. Other weapons, like the Mangonel, could be placed on a siege tower for for added defense. The tower would be as tall as the wall or city they were attacking, sometimes higher. It consisted of many different levels with ladders to reach each level. They also had a bridge on the top which could be lowered so that soldiers could use it to climb onto the castle wall. Many times another siege weapon would be mounted on top of the siege tower, such as the Mangonel. **




 * Ballista: The Ballista most closely represents a larger version of a crossbow. The frame was made of wood and the rope was made of human hair and animal sinew. Arrows were used as the ammo for the Ballista which were most often made from wood. A winch was used to pull back the bowstring so that maximum tension was acquired. Because the great tension Ballistea could shoot over a couple hundred of yards. Along with great distance Ballistea had very good accuracy, this being attributed to the velocity of the arrow. As it moves toward its target the velocity would carry it in a relatively straight path. **




 * Trebuchet: The Trebuchet is one of the most powerful of all the siege weapons. It has the ability to launch projectiles over long distances and heights. It consists of a single base which usually is an upside down triangle shape. Then there is a pole which connects the two sides. A wooden bar is run up and down and passes through the pole that connects the two sides. The top part of the bar is longer till the point where the pole passes through it than the bottom part. The bottom part also has a counterweight attached to it. The top part has a sling attached to it. It works by the top being pulled down with a rope. Then the rope would be released and the counter weight would fling the arm forward and the projectile in the sling would be flung forward. Projectiles ranged from a number of different things including stones, dead, sometimes diseased bodies, dead animals, and even pots of Greek fire. **

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**More Weapons **


 * NOTE TO PAUL* fix the picture I tried to put in. As you can see, something went wrong. A new pic, Id**