Siege Warfare

Siege Warfare

  • Interesting Facts and information about Medieval Siege Warfare used during the Middle Ages
  • Description of Siege Warfare
  • Definition of Siege Warfare
  • Medieval Siege Warfare of the Middle Ages
  • Siege Warfare the Attackers & Defenders
  • Siege Warfare fought according to Chivalric Code and Rules

Description of Siege Warfare
The Middle Ages was an extremely violent era in history featuring battles in both Europe and the Holy Land when the crusades, and the crusaders who fought them, were numerous. The quest for power led to invasions of lands and territories, which had to be fought for. The Middle Ages was the era when great Medieval castles were built acting as a power base for the Medieval Kings, Lords and Knights. A new type of warfare - Siege warfare was waged to win a castle or a walled town or city. Siege warfare was a frequent occurrence during the Middle Ages. Siege Warfare during the Middle Ages, or Medieval era, called for a variety of different siege weapons and siege engines.

   
  

Siege Warfare

A Medieval military operation involving the surrounding and blockading of a town, castle or fortress by an army attempting to capture it

Definition of Siege Warfare
The definition of siege warfare can be described as a Medieval military operation involving the surrounding and blockading of a town, castle or fortress by an army attempting to capture it - to lay siege or to besiege. The term derives from the Middle English  word 'sege' from the Old French meaning seat, blockade.

Medieval Siege Warfare of the Middle Ages
Medieval Siege warfare was an extremely expensive and time consuming business. Siege warfare was, however, a common form of warfare during these violent times. Siege warfare was a common occurrence especially during:

  • The Crusades when the use of the Siege Warfare was used by the crusaders to capture towns and fortresses in the Holy Land from the Infidels, Saracens
  • The Hundred Years War (1337 - 1453), when the English were claiming French lands and mounting invasions
  • The fight for power in England, following the Battle of Hastings in 1066, when the building of stone castles acted as power basis for the warring lords and knights

An important requirement to ensure a successful invasion was to capture the enemies power base - their towns, fortresses or castles. Siege warfare was essential to ensure victory! There were more Medieval sieges than there were pitched battles during the Middle Ages.

Siege Warfare from the Attackers perspective
The attackers had the upper hand in negotiations as they were in total control of the siege and could withdraw at any time. The attackers force in England would have been raised by the Medieval Feudal Levy where nobles and their troops were only obliged to serve for a limited amount of time - usually 40 days. The cost and time elements were therefore critical to both sides and pressure was on both sides to achieve a peaceful agreement. The attackers fighting abroad were not subject to such strict time limits but cost was still an important factor. Laying siege was often fought with the use of massive siege weapons such as the Ballista, Mangonel, Battering Ram, Siege Tower and the awesome Trebuchet. A prolonged siege was a last thing that an attacker wanted due to the cost and the negative effect on morale due to the boredom factor.

Siege Warfare from the Defenders perspective 
The defenders involved in siege warfare were aware of the cost of a siege and that a prolonged siege would cause significant problems in terms of the man power of the attackers. From the defenders perspective they had to hold out against the assault of siege weapons or survive a prolonged siege where food, fresh water and morale was of prime importance.

Siege Warfare fought according to Chivalric Code and Rules
Neither Attacker nor Defender involved in siege warfare wanted a prolonged siege. Medieval Siege Warfare was conducted according to Chivalric Rules and a truce or settlement would always be attempted, according to the Chivalric Code, before Siege Warfare commenced. The Chivalric Code regulated Medieval Siege warfare. These rules allowed surrender under honourable terms. Each side would have estimated the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Siege Warfare was costly and Siege Weapons and the besieging forces would not be assembled until it was believed that all truce negotiations would fail. The Siege warfare rules of the honorable Chivalric Code included the following elements:

  • Siege Warfare / Time: A reasonable and specific amount of time was allowed for truce or surrender conditions to be considered. This ranged from 7 - 40 days. The shorter time period was most commonly allowed because of the problems caused by the Feudal Levy
  • Siege Warfare / Honorable Surrender: An honorable surrender had to be negotiated before the start of hostilities
  • Siege Warfare / Safe Conduct: Castle inhabitants could leave the castle unharmed
  • Siege Warfare / Weapons: Often terms would allow inhabitants to retain their weapons
  • Should inhabitants refuse to surrender no such promises were given
  • Intentions - The attackers would signal the start of the siege with flags or launching arrows or crossbow bolts at the castle entrance

Siege Warfare - the Siege begins 
The preparations for siege warfare were thus completed. Negotiations for possible truces or surrender had failed. The castle, town or fortress was now officially under siege - Siege warfare was about to begin.

Under Siege
Siege Weapon Design

Siege Warfare
Each section of Middle Ages Weapons provides interesting facts and information about Medieval warfare in addition to the Siege Warfare. 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 Warfare

  • Interesting Facts and information about Medieval Siege Warfare used during the Middle Ages
  • Description of Siege Warfare
  • Definition of Siege Warfare
  • Medieval Siege Warfare of the Middle Ages
  • Siege Warfare from the Attackers perspective
  • Siege Warfare from the Defenders perspective
  • Siege Warfare fought according to Chivalric Code and Rules

Siege Warfare

The Siege Warfare - History of Siege Warfare - Interesting Information about Siege Warfare - Siege Warfare Facts - Siege Warfare Info - Middle Ages Weapon - Middle Ages Weapon - Middle Ages Wepon - The Siege Warfare - Siege Warfare History - Information about Siege Warfare - Siege Warfare Facts - Siege Warfare Info - Knights weapon - Crusaders Weapon - Wepon - Training - Use - Makers - Crusades - Castle - Castles - Armor - Siege - Weapon training - The Siege Warfare - History of Siege Warfare - Information about Siege Warfare - Facts - Siege Warfare Info - Middle Ages Weapon - Middle Ages Weapon - Middle Ages Wepon - Siege Warfare History - Information about Siege Warfare - Facts about Siege Warfare and Info - Knights weapon - Crusaders Weapon - Wepon - Training - Use - Makers - Crusades - Castle - Armor - Siege - Weapon training - Written By Linda Alchin