Siege Machines

In the Middle Ages there were several ways to attack and conquer a castle. One way was to break the wall and to hope that the people and soldiers inside would surrender. Whilst this method could prove sometimes to be efficient, the wall would be destroyed and then have to be rebuilt by the conquering army. Therefore the most popular way was to lay siege to the castle. This meant that an army would surround the castle and deny the occupants all contact with the outside. They would then wait until the defenders gave up, starved to death or until the castle well was dry. A siege was not an easy option for either party, it would be a period of insecurity on the inside because of the risk of plague or poisoned water and the stagnant conditions. The outside army would also be under the threat of sickness or from another army coming to the aid of the people inside the castle.

The strategic placement of siege machines would cause a scattering of forces within the castle and could split the concentration of castle forces enough to launch additional assaults, preparing the way for a breach of the castle. Over time, the effectiveness of these siege machines began to reshape power, control over kingdoms and the strategies of war.  

Sometimes during a siege the occupants would need a little more persuasion to give up. This is where the use of "Siege Machines" or "Siege Engines" would be most effective. These siege weapons would unleash destruction that could result in the loss of a castle and subsequently the fall of the kingdom. Most kingdoms during the Middle Ages were limited in their ability to counter the effects of siege machines. This is in part why these weapons evoked such a sense of fear and even desperation from their targets.

Exercises:

On a new page in your books put the Heading “Siege Machines”. Under the heading write a 1/4 - 1/2 page summary based upon the information available from this link. After you have completed the summary, write the following sub-headings and the questions in your books and answer them in full sentences using the links to the websites listed below.

Siege Machines

1. Name and describe the Siege Machines that were used during the Middle Ages
2. If you were to lay siege to a castle which siege machine would you choose to use? Explain why
3. Draw a siege machine in your books and colour it in. Use this site for more images to help with your drawing: Siege Machines of the Middle Ages

Defense Against Siege Machines

1. Name and describe the ways in which a castle could defend itself from siege machines
2. Which defense do you think would be most effective? Why?

Using these siege machines was not an easy task, it would take a lot of practice and precise calculations to hit the intended target. Test your skill at destroying a castle by going to the following link: Destroy the Castle