Can a massive siege trebuchet outmatch the precision of a medieval longbow?

History · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: History Hit collaborates with Tod's Workshop and archer Joe Gibbs to compare the accuracy of a trebuchet against a longbow. Testing their performance over a 140m range, the team evaluates which weapon best handles a target-rich fortification.

The experiment features a custom-built fortification constructed from wooden pallets, defended by a garrison of plywood knights. To quantify performance, the team assigned specific point values to these targets, with the central 'king' figure serving as the highest-value objective.

Luke Tomes and Louee Dessent lead the challenge to determine if the raw power of a siege engine can compete with the tactical precision of a professional archer at a distance of 140m. The demonstration highlights the distinct mechanical differences between these medieval missile systems.

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