![]() So other tools were put to use to try and repeal an attacking army. Walls could be overcome with ladders and siege engines, and gates could be battered down by rams. Yet swords and bows were not the only weapons used to rain down death and destruction upon the attackers. Tall, thick stone walls defended by archers and swordsman had to be overcome before victory could be won and the plundering could begin. Medieval weapons skin#At Chester in 918 AD, Vikings had their skin peeled off after being covered with a boiling water and ale mixture.Īttacking a medieval castle was an intimidating prospect. At the Siege of Paris at 886 AD, the Franks used a special mixture of oil and wax, which stuck to the skin of the attacking Vikings, melting flesh from bone. Boiling oil tactics survived further into history than you would imagine, proof that it was one of the best medieval weapons. ![]() The hot sand penetrated gaps in enemy soldier’s armor, burning into their flesh. The Phoenicians heated sand inside copper shields until it became red hot before throwing it over attackers. ![]() The Romans threw or launched oil-based fire pots that erupted in flames upon impact. One account speaks of the men hit by the scalding sand dying while going mad with horrible pain.īoiling oils have been used throughout history in diverse and genius ways. The red, hot sand penetrated gaps in the enemy soldier’s armor, burning into their flesh. The romans used oil-based fire pots which could be thrown by hand or launched with ballistas and would erupt in flames upon impact. The ways in which these boiling oils have been used throughout history has been diverse and genius. ![]() They set fire to the equipment, rendering it useless. Such burning oils and flammable liquids were not only effective medieval weapons against the attacking soldiers, but also against the ladders, rams, and siege engines. The screams of the injured, the smell of burning flesh, and the sight of dozens of horrifically burned bodies proved more than enough reason for any wavering unit of men to retreat. The terrible injuries and gruesome deaths caused spread fear and panic amongst any other attackers who managed to escape its rain of death. In many ways, boiling oil was considered an early form of terror weaponry. The hot liquids were a powerful medieval weapon that would usually completely cover the enemy soldiers who were hit, getting under any protective armor they might be wearing. Then, they poured the liquid onto the unfortunate men below, causing painful deaths or at least inflicting horrific injuries on anyone unlucky enough to be caught in the scalding downpour. Soldiers heated oil of various types, water, animal fat, hot sand, and even sewage in a cauldron located nearby. While the term “boiling oil” is generally used, the reality is that anything hot would be deployed. ![]() Arrows, rocks, boiling oil, and indeed anything that could injure a man would be cast down the holes causing death, destruction, and chaos below. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |