Medieval Glossary
Siege Tower
A tower that would be constructed by a besieging army during a siege. After infantry troops entered the siege tower, it would be rolled along on wheels up to a castle wall, and then the drawbridge would be lowered. It was the hope of the attackers that the tower's drawbridge would hook onto the merlons of the castle wall. This would secure the drawbridge, allowing the infantry from within the tower to storm across the bridge and to access the top of the castle's walls.
Related term(s): Belfry; Siege; Merlon; Infantry
Category: Siege Weapons and Artillery
Added: 09.07.04
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