Attacking a castle
The thick stone walls of the Stone
Keep castles were difficult for men to knock down. Although pickaxes could be
used against castles with thinner walls, it would take a very long time to
knock a hole through a castle with very thick walls. The battering ram was
particularly useful since the weight of several men would be put behind it.
This would make it a considerable force that could seriously weaken and
possibly destroy doors or walls.
A variety of catapults or siege
engines were developed during the Middle Ages to fire stones, fireballs or
other objects such as dead sheep, cattle, or plague victims, at the castle
walls or into the castle itself. This type of catapult works by twisting rope
as tightly as possible so that it acts like elastic when the arm is released.
Another good way of attacking a
stone castle was by placing it under siege. Attackers would surround a castle
with both men and catapults so that no one could enter or leave the castle.
Sieges could last for months, usually until the inhabitants of the castle ran
out of food and were starving. One of the castle owner's main line of defence
against siege was to send all women, children, old, weak and sick people out of
the castle. This meant that only those strong enough to fight off attackers
remained in the castle and that the food supply would last much longer. A good way of attacking a stone
castle was through mining. Attackers would dig a tunnel underground up to the
castle walls, under the gatehouse if possible. They would then set a charge and
make an explosion which would make the walls crumble and collapse. The
advantage of mining was that the attack could not be seen by those living in
the castle. However, if those inside the castle were aware that attackers were
mining underground, they would often mine from the castle to meet the attackers
underground and there would be a sword battle. Castles are made up of lots of different
things like stone rock and much more.
Quiz time!
1) Do you prefer round or square castles?
2) Would you be the attackers or defenders? 3) Where would you build your castle? Near trees? Near water? In the middle of nowhere? 4) What would you do if someone attaked your castle? Fight? Trick them? Hide? The siege engines are “medieval” engines were constructed by engineers who travel with knights. A trebuchet is one of the most well-known siege weapons of the medieval era. It is the most powerful weapon in “medieval” weapons. It was first used as a better catapult. A Catapult is a well-known siege engine from the medieval times. It can construct from fiery stones to dead animals. They are one of the most mentioned weapons and everybody knows what it is. It was used on later in medieval life. Even after artillery gun powder it is still was better. It would hold fiery stones and blast in to the castle. Battering rams were far more complex than all the others. It is protected by a hut like coverings and iron or burning pitch with wheels. It is more of a charging weapon than a sniper. Fire was the best way to attack motte and bailey castles because they were made fully out of wood. It can be used by archers as well. When the fire spreads all the soldiers have to evacuate, forcing them to fight even if they were injured by the fire. Ballistas look like huge giant crossbows. It was originated from Roman times but it developed over the centuries. Due to this development, it can launch up to half a dozen spear-sized arrows and it can go over the castle walls and defences. Mobile assault towers are usually used to protect the attacker and the soldiers. It also gave them high positions and it would be useful for archers and catapults. Men can rest and eat and it would give them more energy to fight. Some of them were built higher than castles for an advantage. |