posted 06-01-2001 01:57 PM           

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'Demeure par la verite'
Visit; Gordon's Scottish Castles Resource Page

posted 06-03-2001 05:28 PM            

Well anyway, I thought I'd show off my newfound knowledge on this subject (thanks to a brief visit to the library), by helping out a fellow student in need.

Initially, the defenders of castles always had the advantage in combat, with the besiegers often having to resort to starving the inhabitants out to achieve victory. Of course, there were numerous other methods of siege warfare, involving a plethora of siege weapons that included the ram, the catapult, the siege tower, and the mine. However, all of these methods could be countered in one way or another, thanks to the defenders' inherent height advantage, and their ability to drop destructive objects on any approaching engines. Medievel Castle wall consisted primarily of stone several meters thick, and towers constructed in a rounded form for optimal protection from any objects an aggressor may choose to fling at them.

As a result these advantages, quick capture of any fortification usually resulted from either treachery, inadequate preparation on the defenders part, or a surprise attack where the aggressors can gain entry to the castle before it could be fully secured. Much of this changed with the onset of the gun age.

When gunpowder weapons were first introduced to Europe for war-making purposes in the 13-14th century, they mostly saw expression as clumsily made tubes within which powder and ammo may be stuffed, and rather large, inflexible heavy cannon, which itself was rather inaccurate and sometimes given to exploding in the face of its operator. It only began to affect European in around the 15th century, where it was finally able to topple the predominately stone castles that had dominated in the past. Rifles also saw their first early form, but were only used in place of the crossbow and bow for their cheaper cost and ease of use.

When rulers found that the castles they had relied on for so long for maintaining their power were obsolete, they immediately moved to counter this effect. Stone structures were reinforced with heaps of dirt to absorb the shocking affect of a cannon blow. Also, several innovators began to form their fortifications with angles to allow for better range of fire for their own cannon. As defenders and besiegers both adapted the use of gunpowder weapons, with their higher range and more explosive nature, more scientific methods of siege and defense were adopted. In order to prevent their cannon from coming under fire out in the open, besiegers would dig trenches parallel to castle walls, within which they would place their cannon. These cannon would provide cover-fire so that ever approaching trench lines may more direct fire on the walls, until they could be beaten into submission at their weakest point; the foundation. When the walls eventually collapsed, troops concentrated in the closest trench could drive through the breach, and begin the capturing process.

Of course, there were methods of counter for even this method of siege, but finally the besieging force had gained an advantage in firepower that the commonly outnumbered defenders could not counter. Finally, they could take a fortification without awaiting the lengthy process of starvation to take place.

posted 06-04-2001 03:09 AM           

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'Demeure par la verite'
Visit; Gordon's Scottish Castles Resource Page