Siege was one of the most common military tactics of the Middle Ages. Instead of fighting a bloody pitched battle, the army that intended to conquer a certain castle or fortification would position itself around that construction, preventing the enemies from leaving the place. “Some basic siege techniques, established in antiquity, are still employed today. They were activities that consumed time and resources,” says Australian historian Stephen Wyley, an expert on medieval warfare. After establishing the siege, the attacking army had two options: keep the fortress blocked and patiently wait for a surrender, or else organize attacks to invade it. The first alternative involved complicated logistics to supply the troops, in addition to large resources to pay the soldiers responsible for the siege, which could last several months. In addition, allies of the besieged army could appear to try to rescue their comrades.
The option of invading the fortress, on the other hand, required the use of war machines, which could be built on site or taken already disassembled by the attacking army. For those who defended themselves, it was necessary, above all, to prevent themselves, investing in military architecture when building fortifications. Many castles were erected in places of difficult access, on the edge of chasms or on top of hills. Moats around the building and filled with water also aided in isolation, although enemies could use earth or tree branches to cover them. Another common tactic of the armies that launched the attack was to encourage betrayals or rebellions among the besieged, strategies that helped to win the battle with almost no casualties.
forced entry
To invade a castle, many machines and strategies were used.
waiting tactic
The army attacking a fortification could surround it, completely blocking its access and forcing the defenders to surrender due to lack of water or food. The advantage of this tactic was the small number of casualties for the invading army. The problem is that the wait could last for months, if the besieged forces had a good stock of supplies.
makeshift catapult
The technology for building catapults, born in antiquity, was lost over time and was ignored by medieval armies. These used a similar, but less efficient, machine called a trebuchet, capable of hurling stones weighing up to 350 kilograms at 150 meters.
Low blow
Invaders sometimes dug a tunnel into the foundations of the wall, shoring it up with wood. Then they set fire to it, shaking the foundation and making the wall give way. To defend themselves, the besieged dug another tunnel to intercept the enemies, fighting in the dark that was one of the most terrible moments of a siege.
risky climb
The most dangerous alternative for the invaders was to climb the walls with ladders. To reduce the risks, wooden towers were built, which moved on logs or wheels and protected the soldiers, who used wooden walkways to connect the tower to the wall. Those who managed to enter opened the gates.
Sink or swim
In an attempt to break the gate or open a breach in the wall, the battering ram was used, a large wooden log, with an iron tip, pushed against the fortification by several soldiers. To avoid arrows and stones thrown from above by enemies, it was common to use a wooden covering, with a roof reinforced with animal skins and iron plates.
rain of arrows
From the top of the walls, archers could fire arrows at the attackers. Some arrows had fire on the tips to set the enemy camp on fire.
boiling bath
To face the invaders, the besieged also used oil or other combustible liquids that were boiled in large iron cauldrons and then poured on rivals. Even sewage, collected in pits, could be released
last refuge
When the walls were breached, the besieged remained to lock themselves in a large stone tower, which usually existed in the center of the fortresses and stored food and water.
Read too:
– What were the most common medieval methods of torture?
– What was sex like in the Middle Ages?
– How was the Roman siege of Jerusalem