From Jericho to Troy, medieval Europe knew siege warfare as a tradition of antiquity. Long before the advent of city culture, rivaling civilisations had relied on siege tactics as a means of taking over fortified palaces, temples, and defensive walls. But the dawn of the medieval period bought the 'golden age' of siege warfare, as the proliferation of formalised cities made siege tactics the ideal choice from a militaristic standpoint. In Medieval Sieges and Siegecraft, Geoffrey Hindley looks at the subject from every angle. He traces the developments of strong points, castles and fortified towns and considers the architects and masons who built them; describes the problems of medieval logistics and food supply that confronted both sides during a siege (and which often decided the outcome); and pens vivid portraits of the machinery of warfare-from towers, mines, trebuchets, and mangonels to boiling oil and Greek fire; and considers the parts played by women and camp followers in battle. With the support of fifty illustrations printed throughout the text, Hindley shows siege tactics in action through real-life case studies of famous sieges that changed the course of history in medieval Europe and the Holy Land. A definitive account of an often overlooked portion of military history, this stimulating and accessible study will be fascinating reading material for medieval specialists and for anyone who is interested in the history of warfare.

Mines, Trebuchets, and other machines of war.

About the Author
Geoffrey Hindley is a distinguished medieval historian who has written widely on many aspects of the period. He has made a special study of medieval warfare and of sieges in particular.


Book Information
ISBN 9781626361409
Author Geoffrey Hindley
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Skyhorse Publishing
Publisher Skyhorse Publishing