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
The French lay siege to Duras in 1377 in the course of the Hundred Years War.
Siege in the course of the Hundred Years War.
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.
Another 14th century siege.
Siege Engines: Catapults and trebuchet
Trebuchet from a Flemish illumination.
Trebuchet by the French architect Viollet-le-Duc.
Another Trebuchet by Viollet-leDuc, here called Magonel.
Siege engines during the first crusade.
The death of Simon de Montfort at the siege of Toulouse in 1218.
Defence of Orléans in 1428.
Siege of the castle of Schwanau in Alsace in 1333.
Storming the walls
Siege tower by the French architect Viollet-le-Duc.
Crusaders storming Jerusalem.
Same event much more impressive. Taking of Jerusalem Knights Templar Grand Master Jacques de Molay in 1299.
Siege of Lisbon in 1147. Lisbon surrendered when the Crusaders' siege tower reached the wall.