To fully understand why oil wasn’t used, it’s important to consider the economy of the time:

• Olive oil was primarily produced in Mediterranean regions and was a luxury item in the north.
   

• It was used for cooking, lighting, religious rituals, and medicinal purposes.
   

• Animal fats and butter were more common in northern Europe, but they were also essential for food preservation and domestic use.
   

• Wasting oil for defense would be akin to burning money—only the wealthiest might consider it, and even then, likely not during a prolonged siege.
   

Myth vs. Reality: Why the Legend Persists

So why does the boiling oil myth persist, even among history enthusiasts?

• Visual Power: The image is powerful and easy to understand—fire and oil equal pain.
   

• Simplified Narrative: It reduces complex siege tactics to a single action.
   

• Reinforcement in Media: Generations raised on movies and stories internalize the trope without questioning it.
   

• Assumed Brutality: The Middle Ages are often (unfairly) seen as uniquely cruel, so boiling oil fits the narrative.
   

Yet, actual medieval warfare was far more strategic and resource-driven. Tactics were based on availability, efficiency, and survival—not theatrical violence.

Conclusion: The Truth Behind the Flames

While the image of boiling oil being poured from a castle turret onto screaming attackers is iconic, it is largely a myth. Historical and practical evidence shows that defenders used more accessible and equally brutal substances—boiling water, heated sand, quicklime, pitch, and heavy stones—to defend their walls.

Boiling oil was too costly, dangerous, and unnecessary for widespread use. The persistence of the myth reflects more about modern perceptions of the past than medieval reality. Understanding these nuances helps demystify the complexities of medieval warfare and reminds us that history is often more grounded—and more fascinating—than legend.

In truth, the defenders of medieval castles were ingenious, resourceful, and pragmatic. Their ingenuity didn't require oil—it relied on gravity, heat, chemistry, and above all, the architectural advantage of a high and well-fortified wall shutdown123