Caber Tossing

**Piper** · 13th June 06, 08:00 PM

I run Highland Games at some of the Black Powder Rendezvous in the local area. Years ago I heard the "explanation" that the log was thrown to make a bridge during raids or battles. As has been posted earlier, I thought it was very unlikely. The best theory I've heard is that the event came about through logging. Men loading logs onto a cart let their competitive nature get the upper hand. I give a general explanation for the evolution of the Games, mentioning our penchant to make a contest of daily tasks, and the fact the Clan Chiefs looked for ways to determine their strongest and most agile men, so they knew who to keep near them in battle.

**Tiran** · 13th June 06, 08:15 PM

I just assumed that it was to get at the roman soldiers on the other side of their walls or phalanxs. (I spent a fair bit of time trying to come up with an SCA legal caber for just that purpose.)

But then I also assumed that the frying pan toss was to see whose wife was most dangerous after a night out with the boys.

**Pour1Malt** · 14th June 06, 12:42 AM

it wuz prabably a peacock type thing tae impress the lassies....

"och lass, watch ma handle ma muckle pole!!!"

**Planopiper** · 14th June 06, 05:51 AM

I can see using logs as ladders or to cross creeks or ditches, but it seems like it would make more sense to just walk up and set them in place. Actually, I can't see at all how you could throw a log and have it end up leaning against a wall to use as a ladder.

One explanation I heard was that in a battle, tossing a log at the front ranks of the enemy would open up a gap in the ranks. I suppose I can see that. I have no practical experience in that sort of battle, so I can't judge how feasible it would be.

**davedove** · 14th June 06, 05:55 AM

I still think it went something like this:

"Hey Angus, I'll bet you can't pick up that log."

"Sure I can, see?"

"Okay, I'll bet you can't throw it."

"No problem. How's that."

"Not bad. Now can you make it flip over in the air so that the end you're holding lands away from you?"

"Kind of tricky, but how's that."

"Okay, you're strong enough to do that. But can you control it enough so that it lands in a straight out in front of you?"

**Kiltedfirepiper** · 14th June 06, 10:55 AM

I could see that just carryin it to the wall and leaning it up against it would work ....but then you got all those pesky roman types up on the wall shooting arrows and throwing rocks, so it would be quicker to have one really strong/ fast guy get close enough to toss it and get it landing properly than to have more arrow fodder lost by carrying it ....i donno ...just trying to support my theroy

**davedove** · 14th June 06, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Kiltedfirepiper

I could see that just carryin it to the wall and leaning it up against it would work ....but then you got all those pesky roman types up on the wall shooting arrows and throwing rocks, so it would be quicker to have one really strong/ fast guy get close enough to toss it and get it landing properly than to have more arrow fodder lost by carrying it ....i donno ...just trying to support my theroy

If you follow that theory further, it would make sense to have a number of such men do this at different locations around the battlements. This way you would increase the chances of having the log land right and split the defenders forces to the different locations, instead of focusing all their firepower on one individual.