Battle Castle: host Dan Snow shoots a ballista at Caerphilly Castle

Host Dan Snow discovers the power of a ballista at Caerphilly Castle in Wales. Similar to a giant crossbow, this weapon shoots spear-like projectiles that "will take you out". Three other modern replicas of medieval siege engines at Caerphilly Castle - the trebuchet, the perrier, and the mangonel - are featured in three Battle Castle episodes.
Battle Castle is an action documentary series starring Dan Snow that is now airing on History Television in Canada and coming to Discovery Knowledge (UK) in 2012. BBC Worldwide has distribution rights for the series - for the latest updates and exclusive online content like us on Facebook ( / battlecastle ) or follow us on Twitter ( / battlecastle .
Battle Castle is an action documentary series starring Dan Snow that is now airing around the world on channels like History Television in Canada, Discovery History (UK), PBS. BBC Worldwide has distribution rights for the series - for the latest updates and exclusive online content like us on Facebook ( battlecastle) or follow us on Twitter ( battlecastle).
Battle Castle brings to life mighty medieval fortifications and the epic sieges they resist: clashes that defy the limits of military technology, turn empires to dust, and transform mortals into legends.
TH-cam: / battlecastle
Flickr: www.flicker.com/battlecastle
More information: www.parallaxfilm.com/projects/battle-castle

[@siegfried_artificer]

Fun fact, in this particular one the torsions are not even tightened up, so what you see is probably less than 10% of it's full potential.
On the other hand this configuration is safer, because the probability of the string breaking and harming the crew, if the balista would accidentally went off is significantly smaller.

[@AdSd100]

" you got nowhere to hide down"
well except for an entire Castle and it's giant ass walls!

[@Idur88]

It’s for defence so the people getting shot aren’t in the castle…they are trying to get in.

[@AdrienGirod]

Absolutely Dan !

[@boblansdorp]

would be cool to see it go through a few watermelons on a castle wall in slow motion or something... didn't even get to see what happened after they fired...

[@LFGerm]

Waiting for that Monty Python moment of some elderly person feeding the swans getting hit by the arrow...or sligtly missed and falling over from a stroke

[@simonatford1]

Fortunately the locals of Caerphilly, both human and avian, were well used to siege engines by this time.

[@SP-kx3xm]

@@LFGerm Hahahaha! So true!!!

[@H2OSoarin]

@1:58 I don't think those are supposed to leave the launcher sideways.

[@Badgeriferous]

It's because the one shot was actually a cut down broom handle with a nail in the front - they don't fly as well, but are a damn bit cheaper than the one shown!

[@lolpope]

Those poor geese...

[@A-Goose-]

Arrow ?!
That's a spear!

[@Lukos0036]

The fletching was usually made of metal, only 2 because of the nature of the mechanism. Just scale up a crossbow bolt. As for size it looked like their bolt was 4 or 5 feet long by about a half inch to inch in diameter, but was probably made of oak. You could likely buy a oak bow staff from a martial arts supply store, cut it to length and put the fletching and tip on yourself. Or use a piece of steel rebar of the same weight. I don't think flexibility is that important in a ballista bolt.

[@FingerAngle]

They need to tune those engines.

[@KandiKlover]

I've seen these made exactly like a giant crossbow before :3

[@BlackBanditXX]

The Siege Crossbow IS a thing. If it doesn't have a 'spring' of rope, it's not a ballista.

[@Trefalas]

2:02 complaining goose

[@KandiKlover]

BALLISTAS my number one pain in the ass on stronghold 2

[@vallettapetracyneran8587]

I see this as a defense weapon. Placing it on a castle wall

[@derpyvillager2606]

Yeah that’s what they did it was a pretty common and effective technique

[@claudespeedbarney1]

where can i watch full episodes

[@NavigatedChaos]

What is the length and diameter of the ballista bolt? I'm also curious on how the feathers were done. I'm working on a project and I need it to be as realistic as possible so please help me.

[@TheHeRoofsniper]

I am working on my own any tips

[@justiniand6a788]

666 subscribers. Hmmmm...

[@SomethingtoappeaseGoogle-1024]

This type of weapon was used by Alexander the Great. It was a weapon fit for assisting a conqueror conquer vast swathes of land.

[@KandiKlover]

Orlando Bloom used them as giant harpoons to tip over siege towers and defend jerusalem :3

[@DefyyyTTV]

And this thing killed daenerys dragon huh... that seems kinda made up doesent it ?

[@9999Mihas]

no you idiot

[@lovemcurvy3126]

Obv shat!