Ben Huntley

1
The Siege

• Ben Huntley
• Hour 8
• 01/03/08

2
Warfare

• Most military engagements during the middle ages
  were not fought on the battlefield, but against
  fortified sites
• Conquest of foreign lands was impossible without
  capturing fortifications
• As time went on, castles improved to protect the
  people inside
• Stone fortified walls
• Room for stores and supplies
• Raised Towers

3
The Siege

• A siege is the assault on a city or fortress
  with the intent of winning through a blockade
• The attacking troops would surround walls and
  prevent supplies from entering the castle, hoping
  to starve the defenders out
• Long and protracted process
• Time depended on food supply and relief troops in
  fort
• Battered down walls with artillery

4
Sapping/Mining

• Dug tunnels under castles and walls
• Weaken Foundation
• Collapse of Walls

5
Battering Ram

• Effective only at close range
• Used momentum mass
• Manned by groups of soldiers
• Either lifted by troops and ran into door or
  fixed to a support system and swung like a
  pendulum
• Frame could be covered with protective material
  to prevent attack and being set on fire

6
Catapult

• Hurled projectiles (rocks) at walls
• Used to batter down walls
• Smash siege works or infantry
• Projectiles could be covered with flammable
  material and lit on fire
• Too large to be carried, usually built on the
  battle site

7
Ballista

• Resembled large crossbow
• Fired arrows, stone balls, or large bolts
• Manned by several soldiers
• Inflicted incredible damage
• Slow operation

8
Outcomes of a Siege

• Defenders repelled attackers without aid from
  outside forces. The position was considered
  held.
• Defenders repelled attack with the help from
  outside forces. The position was considered
  relieved or raised
• Attackers took the fort but the defenders escape.
  The position is evacuated
• Attackers take the fort and kill/capture all the
  defenders. The position is considered fallen.

9
Works Cited

• Devries, Kelly, and Robert Smith. Weapons and
  Warfare. An Illustrated History of their Impact.
  
• Santa Barbara, CA ABC-CLIO Inc., 2007.
• Medieval Siege Engines. Medieval Period. 2007.
  Medieval Period. 12/17/07.
• lthttp//www.medieval-period.com/medievalsiegeengi
  nes.htmlgt
• Renaissance Warfare and Weapons- Siege Tactics.
  All About Renaissance Fairs. 2007. Web
• Ring. 12/17/07. lthttp//www.all-about-renaissanc
  e-faires.com/warfare/siege_tactics.htmgt