Battering Rams: Were They Used on Gates or Walls of Castles?

In movies and series, battering rams are often depicted as strike points for castles' walls. This misconception is due to the movie portrayal of fortifications. When the besiegers approached a castle during an assault, the inhabitants would raise an inner gate wall to secure the entry, making the wooden-walled gate more resistant to the blow. Given that wood can absorb the impact more effectively than unadorned stone, attackers usually opted for the thinner, more vulnerable areas of a castle's wall.

Primary Use Against Gates

A battering ram was originally designed to assault the gates of castles, as these were often the weakest spots in a fortress's defenses. The structure and design of barracks doors required less weight-bearing and were more susceptible to damage due to their hinged or mobile nature and the use of less robust materials. This is in contrast to the walls, which were generally made of thick stone and required substantial force to penetrate.

Gatehouse Example: Castle Arundel

The gatehouse of Castle Arundel in West Sussex, England, illustrates the vulnerability of castle gates. These structures are typically designed with lightweight materials and weaker points that make them more prone to attack. For instance, the gatehouse at Castle Arundel showcases a design that is less capable of withstanding the force of a battering ram compared to the robust stone walls.

Challenges in Attacking Walls

Attacking the walls of a castle presented a significant challenge. Walls were built to be incredibly resilient and designed to bear the weight of the surrounding masonry. Directly smashing an area of a stone wall was not only futile but also practically impossible. The force was often absorbed by the surrounding structure, meaning any damage done was minimal and often ineffectual.

Guèdelon Castle: A Modern Example

Guèdelon Castle in France offers a contemporary example of castle construction under siege. The castle, being new and currently under construction, provides a realistic view of the challenges faced by attackers. Siege tactics against walls typically involved sophisticated siege engines such as towers, catapults, or mining under the foundations. However, these methods were not always effective, especially against well-built stone walls.

The Role of Towers

Towers, on the other hand, served as both defensive and transitional structures. They were often hollow or filled with rubble, making them prime targets for undermining or demolishing. By damaging a tower sufficiently, attackers could create a ramp up to the walls, gaining a foothold and eventually penetrating the defenses. Historically, many castles fell because of towers that were weakened or collapsed, allowing invaders to gain a strategic advantage.

Famous Examples

Guèdelon Castle is a perfect case study. Its construction and the approach of attackers provide valuable insights into siege tactics. The vulnerability of towers lies in their structure. If a tower was undermined or its face was torn away, it could collapse outward, providing the besiegers with an entry point. Thus, towers were often targeted by battering rams if they were within range, as they represented a critical weak point in the castle's defenses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while battering rams were employed to assault both gates and walls, they were predominantly used against gates. Gates presented a more accessible and vulnerable target due to their thinner materials and hinged designs. The thick stone walls, on the other hand, required more sophisticated and less direct methods for attack. Understanding this distinction helps us appreciate the strategic complexity of ancient fortifications and the ingenuity of besieging armies.