|
Ancient Siege Engines
Chapter LIX
The Spring Engine
I call this machine ' the Spring engine ' as I am ignorant of its distinctive
name.1 It is possible it may have been the ' Espringale,' '
Espringold,' or ' Springald ' but there is no evidence to show that this
was the case, or, indeed, what it was called.
Fig. 216. - A Spring Engine.
Criticism - This engine is well depicted, together
with the slip-hook which releases the arm or spring, when the latter is
drawn back far enough to strike the butt-end of the javelin with sufficient
force to project it.
The spring engine, as portrayed in mediaeval works, appears to have
been of simple construction though it was no doubt an effective weapon.
All the mediaeval drawings of it with which I am acquainted are, however,
very crude
1 Of all the siege engines of the ancients
this was certainly the most primitive as regards its propelling mechanism. |
