Springald
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A springald, or espringal, was a torsion siege engine device for throwing bolts in medieval times. It is depicted in a diagram in an 11th-century Byzantine manuscript, but in Western Europe is more ev
Modern reconstruction of a torsion springald, the twisted skeins powering the inward projecting bow arms can be seen. Displayed at the Tower of London
Ballista
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The ballista, plural ballistae or ballistas, sometimes called bolt thrower, was an ancient projectile weapon that launched either bolts or stones at a distant target.
Springald
…Western Europe is more evident in the late 12th century and early 13th century. It was constructed on the same principles as an Ancient Greek or Roman ballista, but had inward swinging arms and threw bolts instead of stones. It was also known as a 'skein-bow', and was a torsion device using twisted skeins of…
Reconstructed small Roman ballista
![One talent ballista (26 kg [57 lb] weight projectile) was typical for Roman era ballista. The heaviest version ever made was built by Archimedes, and](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Bal_BBC1.jpg/500px-Bal_BBC1.jpg)
One talent ballista (26 kg [57 lb] weight projectile) was typical for Roman era ballista. The heaviest version ever made was built by Archimedes, and used stones up to three talents (78 kg [172 lb]).
Roman 'catapult-nest' on Trajan's Column
Ballista bolt heads