Medieval Sieges
Because of all the war engines, the mining operations and not least because of the long duration were mercenaries as specialists most important for sieges on the defending side as well as in service of the attackers.Medieval Illuminations
![Siege of Duras](gall_images/siege-duras.jpg)
The French lay siege to Duras in 1377 in the course of the Hundred Years War.
![Siege in the Hundred Years War](gall_images/siege-100-years-war.jpg)
Siege in the course of the Hundred Years War.
![Siege of Mortagne](gall_images/mortagne.jpg)
Siege of Mortagne near Bordeaux in 1377. The Welsh mercenary captain Owain Lawgoch (French: "Yvain de Galles") is killed by an arrow. In fact he was stabbed by an English agent.
![Siege in the Hundred Years War](gall_images/siege_14th_century.jpg)
Another 14th century siege.
Siege Engines: Catapults and trebuchet
![War machine medieval illumination](gall_images/war_machine.jpg)
Trebuchet from a Flemish illumination.
![medieval trebuchet](gall_images/trebuchet_leduc.jpg)
Trebuchet by the French architect Viollet-le-Duc.
![trebuchet or mangonel](gall_images/mangonel-le-duc.jpg)
Another Trebuchet by Viollet-leDuc, here called Magonel.
![siege of Jerusalem](gall_images/siege-jerusalem.jpg)
Siege engines during the first crusade.
![death of Simon de Montfort](gall_images/death-montfort.jpg)
The death of Simon de Montfort at the siege of Toulouse in 1218.
![Defence of Orleans](gall_images/defence_orleans.jpg)
Defence of Orléans in 1428.
![Siege of Schwanau 1333](gall_images/schwanau_1333.jpg)
Siege of the castle of Schwanau in Alsace in 1333.
Storming the walls
![Siege tower](gall_images/siege-tower-le-duc.jpg)
Siege tower by the French architect Viollet-le-Duc.
![Siege tower](gall_images/crusaders-jerusalem.jpg)
Crusaders storming Jerusalem.
![Siege tower](gall_images/taking_jerusalem.jpg)
Same event much more impressive. Taking of Jerusalem Knights Templar Grand Master Jacques de Molay in 1299.
![Siege tower](gall_images/siege_of_lisbon.jpg)
Siege of Lisbon in 1147. Lisbon surrendered when the Crusaders' siege tower reached the wall.