Devon firm creates largest working weapon of war replica
A Devon-based company has built the world’s largest working trebuchet replica – a medieval weapon of war – for Warwick Castle. The 22-tonne, 18-metres tall medieval design has been handcrafted in Carpenter Oak’s workshop, located just outside of Totnes.
With an A-frame and wheels made from oak and throwing arm carved from ash, the award-winning team of Devon carpenters have used traditional handcrafting skills to bring a piece of history to life – basing the replica on designs from the 13th and 14th centuries.
Operating as it would have done in siege warfare using winders in the wheels co-ordinated by a Trebuchet Master, it can launch an 18kg projectile approximately 200 metres. Following a 180-mile journey by lorry to the medieval castle, Britain’s biggest siege machine was transported to the castle’s island and fully assembled by Carpenter Oak carpenters.
The original full-scale replica trebuchet – also built by Carpenter Oak in 2005 – needed replacing after over 15 years of launching projectiles as part of live shows. Experts in design and craft, with experience in this specialist field, the company has built historical siege weapons for film and television projects including a Roman Ballista and Leonardo Da Vinci’s crossbow. Carpenter Oak constructed the replica trebuchet with the support of Dr Peter Vemming from The Medieval Centre in Nykobing, Denmark.
Luke Copley-Wilkins, managing director at Carpenter Oak, said: “We are thrilled to have worked with Warwick Castle to bring back the much-loved and iconic replica trebuchet to the castle grounds. Bringing a piece of medieval history back to life on such a huge scale has been a labour of love for the whole Carpenter Oak team – it’s not every day we get to work on such a unique project that uses 13th and 14th century designs. We’re all really proud that the hard work, creativity and skill of our carpenters will be enjoyed by visitors at Warwick Castle for many years to come.”
Muna Sono, carpentry team leader at Carpenter Oak, said: “After the original replica trebuchet came to the end of its working life, the challenge was to rebuild it and make it better functionally. It’s a very exciting thing to have built – as the largest functioning trebuchet in the world, it’s completely out of the ordinary – it’s like a giant toy I suppose!
“It’s all the little things with a trebuchet that you don’t see, lots of little cogs in a bigger picture. It’s relatively few pieces of timber compared to most buildings we work on, but they are all enormous, which provided quite a challenge.”
Liam Bartlett, operations director at Warwick Castle, said: “The old trebuchet was an immensely popular attraction and so we were keen to replace this jaw-dropping machine. When it needed rebuilding we knew that Carpenter Oak had the skills and craftsmanship to construct Britain’s largest trebuchet. We can’t wait for our visitors to see the might of the trebuchet unleashed with a spectacular new show.”
The new replica is currently being tested at the castle ahead of the official return of its ‘Legend of the Trebuchet’ live show, launching at the beginning of April in time for the Easter bank holiday weekend.
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References
- ^ The Knowle: Sidmouth landmark once a ‘zoo’ and hotel destroyed by fire (www.devonlive.com)
- ^ here (www.devonlive.com)