Prior to the widespread construction of castles, siege warfare was largely focused on the use of simple battering rams and siege towers. These weapons were effective against wooden fortifications, but they were largely ineffective against stone castles.
In response to the growing threat of castles, engineers developed a new generation of siege weapons that were specifically designed to breach stone fortifications. These weapons included:
* Trebuchets: These massive catapults were capable of launching projectiles weighing up to several hundred pounds. Trebuchets could be used to destroy castle walls, towers, and other fortifications.
* Mangonels: These smaller catapults were used to launch firebombs and other incendiary devices. Mangonels could be used to set fire to castle buildings and fortifications, making them easier to attack.
* Ballistae: These giant crossbows were used to shoot large bolts at the defenders of castles. Ballistae could inflict serious injuries and even death on the castle's defenders.
In addition to these new siege weapons, engineers also developed new tactics for attacking castles. These tactics included:
* Siege mining: This technique involved digging tunnels under the castle walls and then collapsing the tunnels, causing the castle walls to collapse.
* Scaling ladders: These ladders were used to allow attackers to climb over castle walls. Scaling ladders were often used in conjunction with siege towers.
* Siege towers: These towers were used to provide attackers with a protected platform from which to attack the castle walls. Siege towers were often equipped with siege weapons, such as trebuchets and mangonels.
The development of new siege weapons and tactics led to a dramatic increase in the effectiveness of castle sieges. As a result, castles became increasingly difficult to defend, and they eventually became obsolete as military fortifications.