Exceptional Discovery: Eight 13th Century Catapult Projectiles Unearthed in Excellent Condition at Ancient Medieval Fortress

[Article déjà publié le 11 juin 2024]

Tourism at the service of history

These eight projectiles were located just below the surface of the ground when they were discovered in the county of Warwickshire located in central England. A development project to promote accessibility to the castle for all brought them to light. What allowed specialists to make the link between these objects and the 13th century siege is that other similar projectiles were found in the 1960s.

“It’s not every day that we have the chance to come across historical remains like this,” said Will Wyeth, English Heritage's property historian.

The violence of a conflict

“Imagine the team’s surprise when we unearthed these impressive stone projectiles that are almost 800 years old”exclaimed Mr. Wyeth.

Their weight is very different from one projectile to another because some weigh 1 kg and others around ten. They are all made of stone and had to be fired using a catapult. Enough to cause significant damage to enemies.

Because you should know that King Henry III of England did not skimp on means during his attacks on Kenilworth Castle. Indeed, he would have used 60,000 crossbow bolts (or bolts) and nine siege engines, not counting the catapults which were used to pierce the walls approximately 4 meters thick.

Return to a period of siege

1266, the whole of England is in the grip of a civil war, the Second Barons' War. This aims to limit the power of the king.

The reign of Henry III of England (son of John Lackland) was not easy either for the English or for this castle. Indeed, the latter was the object of numerous attacks over a period of 172 days established between June 25 and December 13, 1266. It had already been several years since a conflict had arisen between the king and the nobles of the country.

Following this civil war, the end of which was caused by illness but also famine, the castle changed owners. It became that of Edmund, Earl of Lancaster and son of King Henry.



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