How to capture a MEDIEVAL CASTLE
From demolishing walls to starving out defenders, a siege in the Middle Ages required innovative tactics, stamina and determination
WORDS JACK GRIFFITHS
At the unsuccessful siege of Dover Castle in 1216, the castle’s outer defences kept intruders at bay
Castles were the power bases of the Medieval world. Occupied by kings, nobles and knights, defeating one of these strongholds wasn’t easy. To successfully bring one down, a solid strategy was a must. First, the attacking force would need to occupy the surrounding lands to instil fear in the castle owners. If negotiation and diplomacy failed, an attacking force could resort to intimidation by seizing all supply lines and pillaging the locality.