Two wood arms (shaped like a bow lay on its side but with a center part cut off) are connected by a rope. Human hair or animal sinew was commonly used to make the rope. When pulled, the arms swing back and release a rock or heavy object at high speed.
Medieval catapults were used as a form of artillery. They were deployed either by soldiers inside protected positions or by farmers who could deploy them from their own homes. They were particularly useful for throwing large rocks at enemy troops or buildings.
Catapults had several types of engines used to propel the projectile. The most common type was called "hand-powered". Two people were needed to operate this type of engine - one person to pull the rope while another threw the lever that released the ropes brakes. This was not an easy job because both workers were usually men. Women often worked in factories making weapons for use by men in war.
Another type of engine used on some catapults was called "wind-powered". These engines used the wind to pull a rope which in turn pulled the arm that releases the missile.
Finally, there were engines called "fire-powered" that used flames to push a piston back and forth which in turn moved a rod that operated the trapdoor that released the missile.
The bow was built in two pieces. A flexible material, such as wood, was joined at both ends with a cord, or string, to create tension from which the arrow would be launched. The most common wood used to make bows was yew, but ash, hazel, and elm were all utilized. The parts of the bow were carved out of one solid piece of wood or assembled with wooden pegs and joints.
Bows were drawn back by pulling on a rope, chain, or handle. This action stretched the strings, which were made of leather or fiberglass, and caused them to bend. When an arrow was placed on top of the stringed bow, it acted as a counterweight, allowing the archer to loose an arrow without being forced to hold the bow too tight against his or her body. Although not commonly done today, it is believed that King Arthur is supposed to have been shot with an arrow struck from the head of his own sword!
Medieval bows could be quite large. A typical English longbow, for example, was about 70 inches (178 cm) long and weighed around 40 pounds (18 kg). Shortbows were approximately 30 inches (76 cm) long and weighed about 20 pounds (9 kg). Arrows were usually made of thick wood, with a pointy tip designed to go into flesh when fired. They could also have been made of metal or bone.
Historically, catapults were built of wood, boulders for weight, and animal sinew ropes. Later, as metal working progressed, more advanced metal parts were replaced for the mechanism's high-loading elements. Modern catapults use similar components - a base platform onto which a heavy object is thrown, a frame holding the throwing arm, and a spring or counterweight attached to the end of the arm.
In war, they were used for hurling large stones at enemy fortifications or armies, or for discharging missiles such as arrows or bombs. They are also used today by hunters to drive off game animals.
Catapults have been used throughout history and in various cultures. Some examples are mentioned here. More information can be found on Wikipedia.
Ancient Egypt: Catapults played an important role in ancient warfare. Wooden models of soldiers with throwing spears stuck in their sides were used in training. Real spears were heavier than this model, so they needed a stronger thrower. A strong man called a "catapult operator" helped load the weapon with rocks and other objects and then pull the trigger, all while standing up. These men were employed by the Egyptian army during battles to hurl stones at the enemy.
How were arrows created in the Middle Ages? Because arrows were so crucial in warfare, there was a thriving cottage economy in Europe and the United Kingdom. Logs of spruce, cedar, or ash would be "split" into small, square dowels, which would subsequently be rounded by scraping and sanding. Fletching was commonly done using a knot. Birds' feathers were used because they are strong and lightweight.
Arrows were made in many different shapes and sizes. The type most people are familiar with today is called the English arrow. It had a pointed head formed by heating the metal until it glowed red then crushing it with hammer and anvil. The iron core was surrounded by layers of wood that were coated with animal glue and wrapped with strong linen or hemp string. Some English arrows had stone points but most had metal ones.
In France, Germany, and Italy they made slightly different types of arrows with heavy, solid shafts. These were used for hunting big game such as deer and boar.
In Spain, Portugal, and South America they made very long, thin arrows known as zarpas. These were designed to pass through armor and even thick skinned horses without stopping. They were usually made from tropical woods like mahogany and sapodilla.
In Africa they made huge arrows known as shillings. These could be more than two feet long and weigh nearly half a pound.
A wide range of vocations resulted in a wide range of weaponry. The blacksmith dealt with metals, specifically blades of edged weapons like as swords and spearheads. In other circumstances, like with horshoes, the individual was a ferrier. Bowyers were artisans who made bows that were more than just a log of wood with a string strung on either end. They used knowledge of timber, cartography, and geometry to make each bow unique. Loomers made fabrics, including woolen cloth, for clothing and equipment. Tanning animals provided leather for armor and weapons. Copper and iron tools were also used by medieval craftsmen.
People made many different types of weapons in the Medieval Times.
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