[Kevin S.]

In this video, it is stated that a trebuchet can destroy a castle at a max range of only 200+ yards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bczEJt5XCps&am...mp;index=1

Now I know that this was not the maximum range, but, still, shouldn't the trebuchet be able to destroy a castle at a much greater range than that?

Now, this program is called NOVA, and, unless you are a nutty creationist , is a very reliable program. Plus the dude in the video sounds like he knows what he is talking about.

So, what is going on here? Discuss.
BTW, for an average trebuchet ( I know that there are many types of trebuchet), what is its maximum range?

[Lafayette C Curtis]

Yes, such short ranges were typical. We repeatedly see in medieval art and texts that trebuchet crews worked in immediate danger from the enemy's personal missile weapons (bows, crossbows, etc. as opposed to crew-served artillery), and also that trebuchets sometimes had screens built in front of or around them to protect them against such missiles. This wouldn't have been the case if the trebuchet's properties had not required it to operate at such short ranges. Remember that mechanical artillery isn't gunpowder artillery, much less modern rifled gunpowder artillery with long-range indirect-fire capability. Also note that early gunpowder artillery operated from similar, very short ranges--often as close as 50 yards or less from the walls to be breached.

BTW, it may be worth your while to check Chevedden et al.'s article on the development of the trebuchet. I don't remember if it includes any discussion about typical ranges, but it's certainly quite informative no matter what: http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/articles/chevedden.htm

[Kevin S.]

Ah, thank you for your answer

[Randall Moffett]

Also keep in mind what you are doing.... breaking apart a fortress. This is not shooting down some lightweight target this is a defensive structure of stone, wood and iron. Clearly they could shoot from further but would it be powerful enough impacts to do what it needs to?

Lafayette,

Good points. Could not say it better.

RPM