Flashcards on Military Organization and Warfare: Late Roman to Medieval Europe
Military Organization and Warfare: Late Roman to Medieval Europe
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Medieval warfare – Siege & fortifications
23 cards
Card 1
Question: What siege tactic involves surrounding a strongpoint to force surrender through starvation?
Answer: Blockade — surrounding and cutting off supplies to induce surrender by starvation.
Card 2
Question: What is sapping in siege warfare?
Answer: Mining under walls (sapping) to weaken the structure so it can be breached, used when ground permitted.
Card 3
Question: What was the primary objective of more vigorous medieval sieges as engines of war?
Answer: To breach the wall and then assault to dislodge the garrison.
Card 4
Question: Name four common medieval siege engines and the basic principles they operated on.
Answer: Ballista, battering rams, siege towers, and ladders — operated according to torsion or counterweight principles.
Card 5
Question: How did defenders typically respond to siege engines and assaults?
Answer: With ballistae (large missiles), pitch and other incendiaries, and internal defences within the fortification.
Card 6
Question: How did the introduction of effective artillery change the role of castles?
Answer: Castles were no match for artillery; artillery diminished the defensive dominance of traditional castles.
Card 7
Question: What two trebuchet developments significantly improved siege artillery from the 12th century onward?
Answer: The traction trebuchet followed by the counterweight trebuchet, which greatly increased power and operational efficiency.
Card 8
Question: Despite advances in artillery, why did sieges from the 12th century onward generally become less successful and more costly?
Answer: Because defensive art and fortifications improved alongside artillery, and political strength of major states reduced the chance a siege would topple
Card 9
Question: Why were high levels of training and unit cohesion essential in siege operations?
Answer: Siege tasks (e.g., long mines, operating battering rams, catapult crews, carrying and using long scaling ladders under fire) required expertise, coord
Card 10
Question: Give an example from the presentation illustrating the training and cohesion needed for sapping operations.
Answer: A crew of fifty sappers digging a mine 100 yards long at a depth of 30 feet beneath city walls required expertise, training, and cohesion.