|
||
|
|
|
Attacking and Defending a Castle, Underground Mines
A good way of attacking a stone castle was through mining. Attackers would dig a tunnel underground up to the castle walls, under the gatehouse if possible. To counter the mining, anti mining tunnels could be dug by the castle soldiers, which insured a ferocious hand to hand battle underground. Inside the castle, the guards would place a pot of water near the castle towers and walls. When the water rippled, they would know enemy miners were at work underneath them. Siege warfare involving mining was introduced to Britain following the Norman Conquest at the siege of Exeter in 1067. The same stronghold was besieged in 1136, when miners again attempted to demolish the walls. Archaeological excavations carried out in the 1930s at Bungay Castle, Suffolk, exposed a mine gallery over 7m long, dated by the excavator to the siege by Henry II in 1174. Index Fire Battering Ram Catapult Giant crossbow Underground mines Under siege Belfry Tower The Curtain Wall The Portcullis The Gatehouse The Drawbridge Over The Moat Oil, Water, Stones Arrows
|
