What were the key features and strategies of siege warfare in the Middle Ages?

Siege warfare in the Middle Ages was a crucial aspect of medieval military strategies, with both attacking and defending armies employing various features and tactics to either conquer or protect castles and cities.

Key Features of Siege Warfare:

1. Weaponry: Medieval armies used a variety of weaponry such as trebuchets, catapults, and battering rams to breach enemy defenses.

2. Fortifications: Castles and cities were fortified with walls, moats, and defense mechanisms to withstand sieges.

3. Tactics: Attacking armies utilized siege towers, arrow slits, and other tactics to gain entry into enemy strongholds.

Strategies of Siege Warfare:

1. Blockade: Surrounding a castle or city to cut off supply lines and starve the defenders.

2. Assault: Launching direct attacks on fortifications using siege weapons and infantry.

3. Psychological Warfare: Intimidating defenders with displays of force or threats of violence.

4. Defense: Defenders used tactics like pouring boiling oil on attackers and reinforcing walls to repel assaults.

In conclusion, siege warfare in the Middle Ages was characterized by a combination of advanced weaponry, strategic fortifications, and tactical maneuvers aimed at either conquering or defending castles and cities.