Key Point: Springald was a medieval crossbow-like weapon that employed torsion to launch projectiles at great distances.
Here we will discuss the siege weapon called springald. You will see what it looked like. How the springald was used. And of course how effective the springald really was. So now, let’s begin …
Let’s first answer the key question. What is a springald?
A springald is a medieval siege weapon used to launch projectiles over castle walls and other fortifications. It is similar to a crossbow but larger and more powerful. The springald consists of a wooden frame with a bow mounted on top. A lever or crank is used to draw back the bowstring, and a trigger mechanism releases the tension, firing the projectile. The springald was used in battles and sieges during the Middle Ages and was effective at penetrating castle walls and causing damage to enemy fortifications.
If you are thinking, “That sounds a lot like a ballista”. You are correct! But there is a difference between the two. You will see what I mean a little later. Now, let’s explore the history of this siege weapon.
The Origin And History Of The Springald
The springald was a medieval siege weapon that originated in Europe during the 12th century.
Its design was based on the earlier Roman ballista, but the springald was smaller and easier to transport. It was primarily used to launch smaller projectiles over castle walls, such as stones, lead balls, or iron bolts. It was operated by a small crew and could be set up quickly, making it a useful weapon in sieges and battles.
While it was not as powerful as larger siege engines like the ballista or trebuchet, the springald was effective at causing damage to fortifications and disrupting enemy troops. The springald remained in use throughout the Middle Ages, and its design continued to evolve as new technologies and materials became available.
Now, given that it sounds a lot similar to the ballista let’s clear this thing up first. What is the difference between a springald and a ballista?
The Difference Between A Ballista And A Springald?
The ballista and the springald were both medieval siege weapons used to launch projectiles over castle walls and other fortifications. However, there were some differences between the two weapons.
A ballista was a larger and more complex weapon than the springald. It had a larger frame and used torsion springs made from bundles of twisted animal sinews to power the firing mechanism. The ballista fired large bolts or arrows with great accuracy and power, making it effective against both infantry and fortifications.
The Springald though was smaller and simpler than a ballista. It used a tension spring made from a bent piece of wood to power the firing mechanism, and typically fired smaller projectiles like stones, lead balls, or iron bolts. While less powerful than the ballista, the springald was easier to transport and set up and could be operated by a smaller crew.
Key Takeaway: The main differences between the ballista and the springald were their size, complexity, and the type of projectiles they fired.
Now, let us go a little deeper into how the springald actually worked.
How Did It Work?
Here is a short demo in a video format of how the springald worked. Followed by a written description. The video is just 91 seconds long.
The springald worked by using a tension spring made from a bent piece of wood to power the firing mechanism. The weapon consisted of a wooden frame with a bow mounted on top.
The bow was made from a flexible material. Such as wood or animal sinew, and was attached to the frame using cords or metal fasteners. A rope or chain was used to draw back the bowstring, and a trigger mechanism released the tension, firing the projectile. The springald was typically operated by a small crew and could be set up quickly on the battlefield or at a siege site.
While it was not as powerful as larger siege engines like the ballista or trebuchet, the springald was effective at launching smaller projectiles over castle walls and other fortifications and could cause significant damage to enemy troops and structures.
The 7-Step Process To Fire The Springald
Here is a step-by-step firing process for the springald:
- The springald is loaded with a projectile, such as a stone or iron bolt.
- A rope or chain is used to draw back the bowstring, creating tension in the spring.
- The trigger mechanism is engaged, holding the bowstring in place.
- The springald is aimed at the target, which is typically a castle wall or other fortification.
- The trigger mechanism is released, causing the tension in the spring to rapidly release and fire the projectile.
- The projectile is launched from the springald at high speed towards the target.
- The crew reloads the springald with another projectile and repeats the firing process as needed.
Now that you have seen how it works let us examine one more thing. Its dimensions.
Its Dimensions
In general, the springald was a smaller and more compact siege engine compared to larger siege weapons. The frame of the springald could be anywhere from 2 to 6 feet in length and 2 to 4 feet in height. The bow was typically around 4 to 6 feet long and could be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, sinew, or metal. The overall weight of the springald could range from 50 to 500 pounds. Again it depends on the specific design and purpose of the weapon. These dimensions allowed the springald to be relatively portable and easily transported, making it a useful weapon for medieval armies on the move.
In Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Hopefully, you learned a thing or two. If you wish to continue learning about siege weapons I suggest reading this article on siege mortars right here.
Or feel free to explore another siege weapon that was widely used during the Middle Ages. The siege ladder. To learn more about siege ladders and how they were used, click here.
Take care!