Historic counter-weight trebuchet illustrations, including this drawing to the right.
Trebuchets
Sonoran Desert Homeschoolers'
Medieval Center
This picture is from one of our very own SDH members' web site. Check it out!
Howling Horse Ranch Trebuchets
"The Norsemen's king, the skalds relate,
Has ta'en the heathen town of Saet:
The slinging engine with dread noise
Gables and roofs with stones destroys.
The town wall totters too, -- it falls;
The Norsemen mount the blackened walls.
He who stains red the raven's bill
Has won, -- the town lies at his will."
--- extract from Heimskringla, Saga of Sigurd Jorsalfar
Definition
A siege weapon uses potential energy at the short end of a levered stick with suspended weights and considerable velocity at the long end of the levered stick to throw stones, cows, and Medieval negotiators.
Andrew Vick's discussion of castle design and trebuchet defense
Kolderer, 1507
simple counter-weight trebuchet theory, from Russell Miners
Links to Trebuchet Plans
Detailed trebuchet plans are hard to come by. Some of these sites will offer more information than others. Good luck!
Tennis Ball Trebuchet (look for the free plan link on the left)
The TREB Challenge -- build a virtual trebuchet!
Disclaimer
A trebuchet can be very dangerous. If you choose to make one, we assume no responsibility for any of the information you find through our website. You are liable for anything you do on purpose, by accident, or in stupidity.
Clipart courtesy of
Melissa Snell from About.com's Medieval History
Play Destroy the Castle!*
From NOVA Online - build your own trebuchet and fire a missile at a castle. "Build it right, and you will crush the wall. Build it wrong, though, and you may have to face some painful consequences."
