Image courtesy of Andrew Spratt

What weapons are being used to attack the castle in this picture? Were these weapons were commonly used to attack castles throughout the Middle Ages? Image courtesy of Andrew Spratt

Attacking a castle Lesson Objectives To find out what weapons were used when attacking a castle in the Middle Ages To come to a conclusion as to which weapons would be best used when attacking different castles

If an enemy wanted to attack a Castles he had to decide what the castles‘ weak points were and which siege weapons would be the most effective. © Painting by Andrew Spratt

Highlight and discuss the types of weapons and siege engines being used to attack this castle. © Painting by Andrew Spratt

A Battering Ram was used to try and smash down the main gate Longbows were used to fire arrows at the defenders and set fire to wooden structures The Mangonel was a catapult which could hurl objects at, or over, the castle walls A Scaling Tower was used to reach the top of the castle walls Pictures courtesy of Folens Publishing Click on the screen

Discuss how you would go about attacking the castle below. Teacher’s choice of castle to be inserted here… What weapons would you use and how would you use them?

Write a brief description explaining how you would go about attacking this castle. What weapons would you use and how would you use them? Conwy Castle is one of King Edward I’s castles.

Imagine that you were leading an army who wanted to capture an enemy castle and the land around it. If that castle could not be taken using all the weapons that you have now studied, what else could you do to make the enemy surrender? © Painting by Andrew Spratt Write your answer here…

Imagine that you were leading an army who wanted to capture an enemy castle and the land around it. If that castle could not be taken using all the weapons that you have now studied, what else could you do to make the enemy surrender? © Painting by Andrew Spratt Write your answer here… Lay siege to the castle

HELP Prisoners were often taken when the siege ended and they were then held for ransom. The Roman Emperor, Henry VI, demanded 150, 000 marks (about £15 million in today’s money) for the release of King Richard the Lionheart.

Attacking a castle Lesson Objectives To find out what weapons were used when attacking a castle in the Middle Ages To come to a conclusion as to which weapons would be best used when attacking different castles

Attacking a Castle

Images used with the kind permission of: Andrew Spratt ( Microsoft Corporation Risto Hurmalainen Folens Publishing END