Though really, I’ve visited quite a few old castles, and every time the historian guides told the same story : the medieval boiling oil dropping thing is a myth.
Oil was way too precious to waste like that. Those murderholes did exist, especially over the gates, but boiling water did the job just right, along with whatever rocks they could use for impact.
Also, in a coastal fortress I visited, apparently heated sand was a thing too. Quite vicious since it got caught and stayed in armour joints. As a famous person once said “it’s coarse, rough and irritating and it gets everywhere”.
Is that boiling oil, a la medieval murderholes?! Brutal
It’s what is referenced here, yes.
Though really, I’ve visited quite a few old castles, and every time the historian guides told the same story : the medieval boiling oil dropping thing is a myth.
Oil was way too precious to waste like that. Those murderholes did exist, especially over the gates, but boiling water did the job just right, along with whatever rocks they could use for impact.
Also, in a coastal fortress I visited, apparently heated sand was a thing too. Quite vicious since it got caught and stayed in armour joints. As a famous person once said “it’s coarse, rough and irritating and it gets everywhere”.
In the Christmas spirit, it’s mulled hot cider.