During the English Middle Ages, castles were constructed as a means of providing protection to small communities. This development changed the way in which war was waged. No longer was it absolutely necessary to meet the enemy on an open field of battle. One could house a sizeable fighting force within seemingly impenetrable stone walls, waiting for the enemy to make an attempt to breach the fortress.

Just a few of the siege weapons that were invented and used during that time:

Mangonel -- A huge arm holding a large bucket at one end. Sizeable missiles were placed in the bucket and launched, either to attempt to degrade walls and towers, or to land inside a walled compound and possibly do even greater damage in human terms.

Battering Ram – As the name implies, this weapon, along with another known as The Bore, was used to knock down walls, gates and doors in an effort to gain entry to a castle.

Siege Tower – This was a portable device on wheels, usually with four walls, that was intended to protect attackers as they climbed ladders within the tower, which was typically constructed to be about the same height as a castle wall. Then, when the tower was set in place against the wall, attackers could theoretically emerge and invade the compound – all while having been protected from arrows and other weapons fired upon other attackers on unprotected ladders.

Ballista – An outsized crossbow that used tension to launch a weapon in the direction of the castle.

Trebuchet – An enormous apparatus that included a sling and lever. When properly operated, the Trebuchet could throw stone objects weighing as much as 200 pounds at distances said to be as long as 300 feet.

As can be imagined, siege weapons were not cheaply produced. In fact, many were custom-made for attacks on specific cities or castles, taking into account the strengths and weaknesses of various fortresses. This could also mean having to transport blacksmiths and carpenters to the actual battle site, keeping them there until each siege weapon was completed and ready for use.

Modern warfare has taken some of the concepts of siege weaponry to new heights (remember the “bunker buster” missiles used against Saddam Hussein’s fortifications in Iraq?), but the concept remains the same: Harness the intelligence and abilities of specialized work- and battle-forces in order to create weaponry that can accomplish what well-armed foot soldiers cannot.