Siege TowerA device used during the Middle Ages ( Medieval period ) in siege warfare. The Siege Tower was designed to to protect the soldiers attacking the defensive walls of a castle, town or fortress Siege Tower Coverings
The relative safety offered by the Siege tower from missiles or fire was due to the cover that it offered the soldiers. The framework of the siege tower was covered in animal hides. At the last minute when the siege tower was about to be rolled or wheeled into place the hides were soaked in mud and vinegar to add further protection. There were even iron plates which could be added to the siege towers, although this was an extremely expensive option. Siege Tower Objectives
The objective of a siege tower was to allow soldiers to mount a direct and close attack on a fortification - castle, fortress or town. Siege Towers were usually constructed with wheels and reached 3 stories in height. A siege tower was a multipurpose machine which could hold men, their weapons and even small siege engines from close-range positions of relative safety. Mangonels were sometimes placed at the top of the siege tower. Siege Tower Variations
The relative safety offered by the Siege tower from missiles or fire led to a series of siege tower variations. A horizontal version of a siege tower was developed to provide cover for a battering ram. Conventional siege towers were also known to have a battering ram built into the lowest level of the structure. Each siege tower was designed to suit the requirements of the wall it was required to attack. Siege Tower History
Siege Tower history dates back to antiquity. The Siege Tower is believed to be an ancient war engine which was used in China and by the Romans and Greeks. Records of major English sieges of the Middle Ages mention the use of siege towers. It was not uncommon for the defenders also to build siege towers to directly oppose those of the attackers. A siege tower was used at the siege of Kenilworth Castle in 1266. Records show that the siege tower held two hundred archers and eleven siege engines. Preparing to use the Siege Tower
Many preparations had to be made before using a siege tower. Many castles and fortresses were surrounded by moats and ditches so before the tower could be moved near the walls the moat or ditch had to be filled with rubble and earth. The ground leading up to the required position had to be chosen to allow for easy transportation of the siege tower. Attacking with the Siege Tower
When all was ready the siege tower would be rolled, pushed or wheeled into into place next to the wall. Men were positioned on all levels. The drawbridge on the top deck was lowered, like a gangplank, enabling the soldiers to rush forward on to the wall of the fortification. As men departed from the siege tower reinforcements moved upwards from the lower levels which added weight to the initial assault. Not all the soldiers left the Siege tower. They were often were defended by archers shooting through arrow slits. Building a Siege Tower
Building a Siege Tower required the design and building skills. Siege weapons, such as the Siege Tower, were made to order! They were far too cumbersome to move from one place to another. In a siege situation the commander would assess the situation and the siege weapons design requirements to break a siege. Engineers would instruct soldiers as to the construction and building of siege weapons such as the Siege Tower. For additional information please click one of the following links: Siege Tower
Each section of Middle Ages Weapons provides interesting facts and information about Medieval warfare in addition to the Siege Tower. The Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of the Medieval period of the Middle Ages! Siege Tower- Interesting Facts and information about the Medieval Siege Tower used in warfare during the Middle Ages
- Description and Siege Tower Design
- Siege Tower Coverings
- Siege Tower History
- Attacking with the Siege Tower
- Building a Siege Tower
| 
