...Siege And Defense Of A Castle “Because castles were made with such massive defense fortifications it was extremely hard to destroy them. Thus, the goal of a siege army was not to destroy a castle, but to penetrate it.” (http://library.thinkquest.org/10949/fief/hisiege.html). The attacker had many options at their disposal when trying to penetrate the castle’s walls. The army could not attack the castle at all but simply seize the land around it and cut out all supply routes going to and from the establishment. Another was a direct assault or siege on the castle itself. And lastly, is besieging. Effectively starving them out. Starvation was a key weapon used in all methods, but solely used in besieging. The most effective direct assault was the use of tunneling. The very time consuming chore was first started by constructing wooden palisades, a type of fence, next to the wall, and then building a shed to lean against it. Defenders high on the castle walls would try to thwart the enemy in its attempt to mine under the wall by dumping hot oil or pitch and tar and then setting it a blaze with flaming arrows. This could be countered by covering the structure with thick leather hides in an attempt to keep the fires at bay and stop the diggers from taking a flaming hot oil bath. Next, special diggers called sappers were called in to start their work on the castle’s foundation. “Once the tunnel was long enough the attacker’s had two choices: Continue digging until they...
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...Introduction Castles first came to England in 1066 when William, Duke of Normandy, won the battle of Hastings. The Normans needed castles because they had taken control of England by force and were hated by many English people. The Normans had to protect themselves from English rebellions and they needed to keep power over and show strength to the English people. William made sure that castles were built all over England in major towns. The first castles were built very quickly and were very simple, but during the reign of William and throughout the rest of the Middle Ages (1066-1500) the design of castles changed. In this essay I will talk about how much castles changed during the Middle Ages and the reasons for this. Motte & Bailey Castles (1066 – 1078) The first castles to be built in England by the Normans were called Motte & Bailey castles. They had: • The Keep – a wooden tower used when under attack and for soldiers to keep lookout. • A Motte - a large mound of earth that the Keep was built on. • A Bailey – a large yard that sat next to the Motte, attached to the Motte by a wooden bridge. • A Palisade – a wooden fence all around the Bailey with a ditch around the outside. • Wooden gateway - the entrance to the castle with a wooden bridge over the ditch. Norman soldiers lived in wooden buildings in the Bailey. Motte & Bailey castles were made of earth and wood, which was easy to find, and they could be built really quickly, in 7-21 days. The height...
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...Hearst Castle I recently had the opportunity to visit Hearst Castle over the summer. I took a couple of the tours which included several of the rooms, the gardens, the pools and the guest houses. A brief history of the castle was explained on the bus trip to the top of the castle. There is a great deal of historic significance behind the making of Hearst Castle. What is now referred to as Hearst Castle began over 100 years ago. A wealthy miner acquired the land and it was his son who designed the castle and all of its embellishments. The castle is well known for its history and its impressive collection of art, artifacts and antiquities from around the world. George Hearst, a self-made millionaire in the mining business acquired the 48,000 acre known as Piedras Blancas Ranch in 1865. George did not receive a formal education but he learned a great deal about the mining business from his father. His knowledge of the mining business brought him great success as he owned interest in three of the largest mining discoveries in America: the Comstock Lode in Nevada, the Ontario silver mine in Utah and the Anaconda copper mine in Montana. His successes enabled him to also acquire the adjoining ranches of Santa Rosa and San Simeon. The castle had humble beginnings as a camping retreat. George, family and friends would set up tents and camp out. However, things would soon change for “Camp Hill” as it was then called. In 1919, his only son, William Randolph Hearst inherited the land from...
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...to New Spain (Mexico) to gain the funds for the project, and then on his way to Florida, he decided to stop in Havana, Cuba to look for laborers, masons, and other types of workmen for the new job. During his search, he came across an engineer who was living in Cuba at the time named Ignacio Daza. Cendoya felt he would be a great asset to this project and so Daza was appointed the leader of the project. Upon returning to St. Augustine with the workers needed, the creation of Castillo De San Marcos began in 1672. One important aspect of this project overall was the author, Ignacio Daza. He was a Spanish military engineer living in Cuba at the time and was recruited by Cendoya because of his great background and knowledge of military fortification as a military engineer. It was said that he...
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...Practices and techniques Combat engineers use practices and techniques of camouflage, reconnaissance, communication methods and enhancement of survival by other troops. Combat engineering also includes construction of roads, bridges, field fortifications, and obstacles. In these roles, combat engineers use a wide variety of hand and power tools. They are also responsible for construction rigging, the use of explosives, and carrying out demolitions, camouflage erection, field fortification construction, obstacle clearance, and obstacle construction, assault of fortifications, bridge erection, use of assault boats in water obstacle crossings, expedient road and helipad construction, general construction, route reconnaissance and road reconnaissance, and erecting communication installations. All these role activities and technologies are divided into several areas of combat engineering: Mobility Improving the ability of one's own force to move around the battlefield. Combat engineers typically support this role through reduction of enemy obstacles which include point and row minefields, anti-tank ditches, wire obstacles, concrete and metal anti-vehicle barriers and wall and door breaching in urban terrain. Mechanized combat engineer units also have armored vehicles capable of laying short bridges for limited gap-crossing. * Clearing terrain obstacles * Overcoming trenches and ditches * Opening routes for armored fighting vehicles * Constructing roads and bridges ...
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...A mysterious abandoned castle offers a ticket out of on going financial struggles in the town Little Briar Rose. Because of national laws against the sale of buildings pre-existing before our constitution for at least 100 years, historians have been able to keep large corporations at bay. However, with the mandatory 100 years soon passing, the government hopes to sell the castle for triple the net worth of Little Briar Rose itself. Nonetheless, the guise of saving our economy is no excuse to replace this historical gem with a Tonald Dump Tower. The whole town depends on rose income and with rose prices still plummeting Little Briar Rose has been left in an economical crisis for the past 5 years. A malicious rumor that Valentine’s Day is just a corporate conspiracy has left us with disappointing rose sales from this year’s Valentine’s Day. Those still interested in celebrating the holiday of love are opting for easier and more “modern” methods of showing they care, such as e-cards and iTunes gift cards. Experts are unsure whether the community will be able to sustain itself until the next spike in profit (estimated to be in February of next year). “Selling the castle to ‘The Dump Organization’ will give us enough money and time to set up a new industry and promise financial stability for the next generation,” says economist Rumpelstiltskin, “We get dollars and an old rotten building off our hands. It’s a win win.” However, even from a purely financial standpoint, the issue is...
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...Ana Parker Process Essay ENG 101: EB 09 Aug. 2011 .How To Build a Sand Castle For young and old alike, a trip to the beach means relaxation, adventure, and a temporary escape from the worries and responsibilities of ordinary life. Whether swimming or surfing, playing volleyball or snoozing in the sand, a visit to the beach means fun. Making sand castles is a project for beachgoers of all ages. Some castles are very elaborate while others are plain. “Why spend money on clay when you can use beach sand for free?” (How to Build a Sand Castle) Move this quote into a supporting paragraph. Quotes cannot be inserted in the introductory – or concluding – paragraphs. Remember your thesis statement must be in your own words, too. Is this meant to be your thesis? Be sure to create a sentence in your own words which encompasses the WHOLE main idea/purpose of your paper. The only equipment needed in the process of creating a sand castle is a twelve inch deep bucket, a small plastic shovel, carving tools, and an abundance of moist sand. If carving tools are unavailable, a plastic kitchen knife will work, however a pastry knife with a squared off end is preferred. Begin using the plastic shovel, by digging up a large amount of sand (enough to fill at least six buckets) and arranging it in a pile near your chosen work site. “Choose a square site that is close to the water, but not so close that waves will destroy the castle as the tide comes up.” (Sand Castle Tips & Tricks) Then, scoop...
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...Hunter Blake Higgins Raelyn Garvey 10/30/15 Trebuchet Research Essay The trebuchet is a siege war machine used during medieval times. The accepted origin of the trebuchet is dated back to 300 BC China. In the 6th century AD, the trebuchet made its way to Europe. During the Dark Ages, the trebuchet was used exclusively by the French in Europe. This invention, along with other siege machines, was finally introduced to the British in the year 1216, during the Siege of Dover. A basic trebuchet consists of five main parts; the frame, beam, sling, counterweight, and the guide shoot. The frame of the trebuchet is used for structural purposes, and also to ensure the firing of the machine will be predictable. The counterweight is the most essential...
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...Castles are often pictured as enormous, magnificent stone buildings that are home to kings and queens. However, castles did not start out that way. The first castles were known as motte and bailey castles. They first appeared in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, and they were popular in England by 1087, when William the Conqueror died. Motte and bailey castles created the basis for the hundreds of castles built in England and Wales. In the motte and bailey castles, the main building was on top of a man-made hill, which usually contained “22,000 tons of soil,” called the motte (Trueman). They were very difficult to make because there were alternating layers of soil and stone so that the structure would be stronger. However, one castle could be built in eight days if enough people assisted in the building. The castle could be accessed by either wooden stairs or a flying bridge. The bailey was below the motte, and it was surrounded by a wooden fence to protect the inhabitants. William continued to build these castles during his reign in locations where the people usually rebelled. This “[reasserted] his authority” because it gave people the impression that William’s feared army was nearby (Trueman). As soon as “the people of England had been tamed,” William began planning the production of stone castles (Trueman). These stone castles eventually evolved into the sturdy and defensive structures known as concentric castles. Concentric castles were made of stone and had...
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...There are many interesting parts of a castle. The way these parts were built was because of how the people there lived and what they needed. Most parts of a castle are made for protection from invaders. Castles were constantly being attacked, so they needed to be heavily guarded and armed. Other parts of a castle are for living, eating, entertainment, and storage. A moat is a body of water surrounding a castle that is used to prevent attackers from digging tunnels under the castle walls. They were usually 5 to 15 feet deep and either filed with water or kept dry. They put dangerous things in the moat such as wooden stakes, alligators, and dangerous fish. a drawbridge is one of the most important parts of a castle. It is a wooden bridge that crosses the moat and leads to a gateway. Using metal chains it is capable of being raised or lowered. In early castles the drawbridge was designed t be broken or taken off in attack. A gatehouse was a strengthened structure built over the gateway that was used as the main entrance to the castle. It sometimes has a guard house in it. On the sides there are murder-holes and arrow loops. Sometimes the chapel was put right next to the gatehouse because if you attacked the chapel you were believed to be attacking god. The portcullis is a wooden gate with metal spikes at the bottom That was hung from the gatehouse ceiling. When under attack guards would rapidly drop the door, impaling the attackers with the metal spikes. There...
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...The next discovery though radar and measurements were a 10’ by 20’ rectangular pit that extended 1-4 inches below the ground and contained a large number of boulders between 12 and 18 inches in diameter. The only known building historically in this area was a 17th century fort (palisade) or meeting house. The fort would have been surrounded by a palisade so if they were attacked, the palisade would have held back the attackers and if they breached the walls, the citizens had time to fall back to the Motte, the fort on the top of the hill, to stand fast against the attackers. In Plymouth, it is also historically known that redoubt were built at the crossroads in the center of the town. On each redoubt four pateroes were constructed that were loaded with anything small from a single shot to a bunch of rock to nails. These elements used to drive back attackers using a scatter gun attack as they came through the gates and down the streets. The placement of these redoubt signifies that wall breaches and invasion into the fort existed and were major concerns of the colonists. The detailed scans over the hill told the archaeologists that the location of the fort one lower and one higher on the hill to the north. This discovery yielded no trenches for a foundation and it was concluded that the palisade was erected as a series of large posts equally spaced apart with a rail on the top and bottom such as split logs or sawn planks. Since the first structures were built from wood the...
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...In Medieval times castles played a big role. Castles were made for the King or Queen as they ruled their area. If the King or Queen wanted to have a great castle or even castle at all, that would make them very satisfied,they would need to,have a certain layouts-materials-and methods,what is going on in their time period and how to handle it,have tons of people to work for them or even their own family members, have lots of places to eat-sleep-honor the past kings or Queens or the present ones, and lastly a good army/protect. All of those things play a part of making a castle that can please any King or Queen. layouts/methods/materials To make a castle it took a lot of work. You had to have certain materials, methods and most likely a lot of blood and sweat. The materials that you would most likely need to call it a castle are, the keep, curtain wall, stronghold, a gatehouse,moat, and a bailey (source c). Generally in the center of all the walls and barriers was the stronghold. The stronghold was for the King or Lord (source c). Next came the keep. The keep was very similar to the stronghold and didn't really matter which order you put them in, but usually it would be in the order of stronghold,keep. After the keep was most likely the curtain wall. The curtain wall is know to be very sturdy and strong (source c). You would also find this near or around the bailey. After that was a concentric castle. Concentric castles were 2 or 3 walls around the keep. Furthermore was a moat...
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...In his short stories and novels, the author Liam O'Flaherty illustrates the impact of various events on human psyche. 'The sniper', an extremely tightly written and gripping story, proves to be no exception to this. In this short story the author illustrates the havoc disaster and loss that warfare wrecks in human lives. Through the central figure of a sniper the author brings out the futility of violence and shows how it destroys the lives of those who unleash it themselves. The story is narrated from the third person limited point of view. In the long twilight of a summer day in Dublin when the moon beams were piercing through the fleecy clouds and casting a faint light, there was heavy firing around the besieged Four Courts. The two conflicting groups namely the Republicans and the Free Staters were indulging in a civil war in Ireland for establishing their supremacy over the city of Dublin. The Republican sniper, a crack shot with his gun, perched himself on the rooftop keeping a close vigil on the enemy hiding on the opposite roof. He had a rifle laid beside and a pair of binoculars slung over his shoulders. He had the thin and earnest face of a student, but his eyes were profound, thoughtful and fearless. His determination and dedication to his cause could be visible from the cold gleam in his eyes that characterised a fanatic. He was eating a sandwich greedily as he had not eaten anything since morning. He quenched his thirst by having a draught of whisky and in spite...
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...“On Origins” Neveen Hirmiz Prof. Cary S. Tagasaki Word Count: 612 209641051 06/02/14 "On Origins" It is the world's longest and most massive structure built by man, its name The Great Wall of China. As early as the Qin Dynasty we see these tamped- earth structures representing a defensive fortification for the people of China. Since then, future generations have altered the Wall’s image, both physically and ideologically, through the cultural interplay between material reconstruction and historical reinvention. It is this process that Carlos Rojas believes most significantly defines the Wall’s identity, and is directly responsible for the preservation of the physical structure itself. Carlos Rojas suggests that it is important to consider the historical context of the Wall to appreciate its various meaning throughout history. He refers to the different Chinese anniversaries being commemorated, in which they all helped to shape the culture, society, and politics of modern China. At the same, the different ways in which the anniversaries are observed demonstrates the role of contemporary concerns in shaping a vision of the past. Over many generations, ideas are developed about forming the wall, in that different representations of the Wall add to the body of tradition, in which it allows for its historical longevity. Rojan states, the way that the Wall is commonly perceived today is largely influenced by recent attempts to...
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...Wall During WWII, the German’s created incredible feats of engineering that still stand today. One of the greatest pieces of engineering that can be seen today is Hitler’s Atlantic Wall. Although the entire wall is not still standing many of its heavily armored fortifications are still able to be seen today. Ultimately the project was a failure but it still parts of it stand today. This enormous project began in 1942. “After the invasion and subsequent fall of France in 1940, the German army controlled the entire coast of Northern France” (Williams, Brian). Then followed by the evacuation of Dunkirk the Germans had control of the entire French coast line. This means that something had to be planned and built in order to protect the main land from the Allies. On March 23, 1942 the order was given to start building a wall starting with bunkers to be built in key location and a wall over less important areas of coast line. “In the In barely two years it consumed more than 17 million cubic meters of concrete, depriving Hitler’s armaments factories of more than a million metric tons of iron” (Ruthven, Malise). The key areas that required heavy fortification were areas near ports. This was to provide support for the German U-boats which were most vulnerable when entering and leaving their ports. Hitler was sure that the Allies would attack and try and take over a port as a strong hold first. This thought would...
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