Slave Labour

Had a phone call from Rick "Three Jags" Harris this morning inviting me over to help get his trebuchet working. To be honest I haven't got a clue about anything practical, like mechanics or carpentry, but there are a limited number of medieval historians with bugger all else to do all day in this part of somerset so I went over anyway.

Trebuchet's were portable devices assembled on the battlefield and Rick's one breaks down into 140 sperate pieces which all need to be checked and restored individually.
Although iron nails were used at the time (see my big dig findings) the need to be able to take the machine apart at the end of the battle meant that it was constructed using medieval half lap and mortise and tenon joinery instead. I spend most of the day cursing as I haul heavy beams from one place to another, get my fingers caught between heavy panels whilst snapping them together, or simply whilst kicking my mug of tea over. I get through a whole pouch of tobacco and half a packet of gingernuts. Bugger it !

In retaliation for the day of slave labour I challenge Rick to a duel on Nailsea heath. His trebuchet against something of my own devising, and whilst I am tempted to consider one of my uncle's miniture flintlock pistols, I sketch out a blueprint for a basic ballista. He agrees immediately and sets a date. Lets hope he doesn't use any of his rusting old cars as ammunition.