medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Hi
I've been an interested observer here for a while and this is one of the few
questions I can contribute to. The short answer is that are no medieval
references to boiling oil being used in castle sieges and like many medieval
'facts' this one appears to be a Victorian invention. As others have
pointed out both oil and fuel are far too valuable to waste.
Machicolations are projecting stone parapets on the outside of a castle
walls, the name derives from the old French 'mache-col' or broken neck and
it is generally assumed they were used to drop stones on attackers to
achieve the desired 'mache-col' effect. Prior to the adoption of
machicolations, wooden hoardings were built overhanging the outer castle
walls and these fulfilled a similar, if more temporary, purpose.
Above gate passages one often finds murder holes, sometimes also called
machicolations in error. These were also used for depositing stones,
crossbow quarrels and spears on any attackers foolish or brave enough to be
in the gate passage. If any liquid was going to be poured through these
holes it would more likely be plain, cold water.
The safest way to attack a castle gatehouse is to set fire to anything
wooden such as the gates, drawbridge etc and then retire to a safe distance
while the fire does its job. The best way to prevent this is simply to pour
water on it and it is probably this practice which gave rise to all the
boiling oil, water and sand stories.
Hope this helps
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Diana Wright" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 7:40 PM
Subject: [M-R] Oil
> medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>
> This is not a very religious question, but perhaps you can tell me anyway.
>
> Can anyone provide me with one medieval source for pouring boiling oil [or
> water] from a castle on attackers?
>
> I have just read, for about the 400th time, the statement that defenders
> of X, Y or Z could pour boiling etc. down on attackers & I realized I
> don't know a single source for that.
>
> DW
>
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