During the medieval period cannons weren't used as much as trebuchets. Trebuchets are similar to a catapult for it was designed to throw heavy stones to break castles walls or at large groups of warriors to stop their advancement during the medieval period. Engineers who lived in the medieval period tried various ways to position the sling of this new weapon so that the projectile would have the greatest effect. This new medieval weapon consists of a lever, a sling, a frame (made usually out of wood), and an arm (where the projectile is placed). The frame is usually a triangular shape with the arm placed in the center (see picture). The projectile is placed on the longer end of the arm while a great amount of pressure is added to the smaller end of the arm, catapulting the projectile over a distance. During this time period the trebuchet was able to throw a stone weighing about 200 pounds. The projectile could be anything from a stone to a block of wood to another kind of missile. In the earlier years, in which the trebuchet was used, it was mostly powered by man; however this weapon began to rely on the use of a huge counterweight that swung the long arm, forcing the projectile over a distance. Throughout this time period the trebuchet was a great weapon to use during war, however over time warfare grew away from this type of weapon and grew more to cannons.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Cannons of pre-1700's
During the medieval period cannons weren't used as much as trebuchets. Trebuchets are similar to a catapult for it was designed to throw heavy stones to break castles walls or at large groups of warriors to stop their advancement during the medieval period. Engineers who lived in the medieval period tried various ways to position the sling of this new weapon so that the projectile would have the greatest effect. This new medieval weapon consists of a lever, a sling, a frame (made usually out of wood), and an arm (where the projectile is placed). The frame is usually a triangular shape with the arm placed in the center (see picture). The projectile is placed on the longer end of the arm while a great amount of pressure is added to the smaller end of the arm, catapulting the projectile over a distance. During this time period the trebuchet was able to throw a stone weighing about 200 pounds. The projectile could be anything from a stone to a block of wood to another kind of missile. In the earlier years, in which the trebuchet was used, it was mostly powered by man; however this weapon began to rely on the use of a huge counterweight that swung the long arm, forcing the projectile over a distance. Throughout this time period the trebuchet was a great weapon to use during war, however over time warfare grew away from this type of weapon and grew more to cannons.
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I always thought it was amazing how ancient civilizations could make such advanced weapons. Not only could they make the huge structures, but they could take extremely heavy objects and throw them far distances with pretty good accuracy for the time.
ReplyDeleteYou did a good job putting together the blog. You may have wanted to use spell check because there are a few misspellings.But overall, good job!
Good job describing the trebuchet and the kinds of projectiles that it used. I also like how you put the effect on the time period as well becuase it gives a better impression of hwo the cannon/trebuchet was used in warfare.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Andy for your comments and I am still trying to figure out how to use spell check on this blog. I wonder if you could just write the paragraphs in word then copy and paste them into a new post. Please if you know if I could do thi please tell me.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I agree with you I think it is amazing how people in early tim eperiods had no technology and yet could build these incredible weapons to use during war. I think its funny that these people could figure out all these things with absolutly nothing yet today we have a whole bunch of technology yet there are so many things to which we have no solution.