Henry's Siege Engine Session Trivia Quiz

Answer: Garderobe

Actually, it would take a miracle for an army to make it through the front gatehouse; it is heavily fortified with a portcullis, and the narrow passage, the barbican, which contains the killing ground, is easily defended by a few well-placed knights. Our moat is filled with nasty fluids, and the bottom has sharpened wooden stakes, that prevent men and horses from easily crossing, and the keep is the most fortified place in the castle complex. So it must be the garderobe? Really? If you think about it, the garderobe empties right into the moat. A man who is small and nimble can climb up the chute without detection!

Sir William told us a story about Philip II's siege of Château Gaillard in Normandy. After a long, difficult, largely unsuccessful six-month siege, Philip sent some men up the garderobe - the toilet chute! They were able to enter the chapel, and ultimately let their comrades into the central bailey. The siege was over! I hope I grow up big and fast enough that I am never the one who is sent up the toilet chute! Ugh!

Answer: Belfry

Many times a siege tower is built so that it is large enough to hold archers, swordsmen, and other fighters. Usually built on a platform with four wheels, there is a gangplank that can be dropped when the tower is close enough to the wall, that allows troops passage into the castle complex.

It is said that at the longest siege in English history, at Kenilworth Castle, the belfry held 200 archers and 11 catapults! Even so, the castle defense held!

Answer: Sapper

Sir William told us that the origin of sapper are the French words "sape", which means to undermine, "sap" which means a spade or a hoe. Many times in order to gain entry into a castle complex, trenches are dug or "sapped" to the base of the castle. So the sapper is in charge any breaching, digging, building, and defensive or offensive actions that Sir Richard's army might take. Our guest today, is Sir Alistair, the castle sapper!

Author's note: Sources are conflicting as to exactly when the word sapper originated, so Henry might be taking some artistic license here!

Answer: Weasel

The base of a weasel looks very much like a siege tower. It can be built at the castle wall or carried there. Unlike the larger cat, that has a maneuverable paw, the weasel has a maneuverable spite. Sir William told a story about a weasel that was used by Raymondet at Beaucaire.

When Simon IV de Montfort (c. 1175-1218) heard the machine was at the walls of the castle, a pot of molten pitch was tossed toward it, and hit the right place! The weasel burned down. He used the similar cat at the Siege of Toulouse; while protecting his weapon, de Montfort was hit by a stone that was hurled from the walls with a trebuchet and was killed.

Answer: Battering Ram

A battering ram can be constructed as easily as cutting down a tree and having a group of people carry it and thrust it against a barrier. The drawback to that is the fact that the log has to be pretty massive and propelled with a great force to do too much damage. My lord, the Earl of Warwick, has a battering ram that hangs from a roofed frame using ropes.

The frame is so light that it can be carried by men, and the roof helps to protect them from arrows and the like. It can also be fixed to a wooden base with wheels; suspending the ram from a rope and having the frame on wheels help to increase the force of the strike on the wall.

It also has a capped ram, which means that the log has a metal head.

Answer: Mining

Now, it must be remembered that this technique does not work if the castle is constructed on a solid stone base or if it has a very deep moat. Also, the initial digging puts the men at risk. Many times, some sort of wagon or structure covered in hides is brought in to protect the workers.

In order to successfully mine a castle, the diggers have to not only dig a tunnel, but also strengthen it with logs. When it is determined that the tunnel is long enough, it is set on fire, causing the supports to give way, and hopefully the targeted wall as well. Typically, once the wall falls, the knights can charge in; sometimes, with one of the walls or towers breached, the castle will surrender.

Answer: Springald

The springald is very similar to a Roman ballista, which can best be described as a giant crossbow, except for the fact that it has inward swinging arms. Because the ballista is so expensive to make, the smaller, but more efficient, springald is used. Using twisted silk or sinew to power the bow-arms, the springald is good in tight places, especially against enemy soldiers.

Answer: Trebuchet

Sir Alistair explained to us that what makes a trebuchet so forceful is the counterbalance weight that is put on the short arm of the weapon. Usually the counterbalance weight is a ballist box that is filled with stones, dirt, or whatever is available, that will give the box some weight.

Then a rope is attached to the long arm of the trebuchet, the sling is filled with all kinds of nasty things, and Boom! When the ropes are released - well, a person would want to be far away! Sir William told us a story about War Wolf, the fabled trebuchet that was used during the English siege on Stirling Castle by Edward Longshanks.

He said that when the Scots saw the machine, they were so afraid that they tried to surrender, but Edward wouldn't allow that because he wanted to see how well the trebuchet worked.

It was so large that it could hurl objects as heavy as 300 pounds - and, yes, it did knock down part of the wall of the castle!

Answer: Mangonel

Invented by the Romans, the mangonel has long been an important siege engine. It employs a long arm that has kind of a bucket at the end that is filled with projectiles and nasty substances. When it is loaded, the order is given to release the arm, and at the same time a group of men pull ropes which are attached to the long arm. Capable of firing at about 1300 feet, a mangonel can be built on wheels to increase mobility. Well-trained men can do a lot of damage to a castle wall with this machine, but it is also handy on the battlefield.

Answer: Greek Fire

There are many different items that can be used a projectiles in catapults. Stones are destructive, but what can be used if there are no stones available? Burning tar is very nasty, and so is quick lime that can be lit before being catapulted; burning sand can be very uncomfortable if it falls inside one's suit of armor.

The use of dead bodies and animals is considered to be the first type of biological warfare, which enables the spread of disease. Sir Alistair told us that he has heard of Greek fire being used - but only in ancient times.

Unfortunately, the secret of making Greek fire was lost hundreds of years ago. Crusaders used a concoction that they called Greek fire. However, the term "wildfire" is more appropriate. Sir Alistair hinted that he has been trying to mix ingredients, but without success.