Why Axes Failed to Penetrate Castle Walls in the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, the design and construction of castles were engineered to resist attacks, particularly by simple tools like axes. This article delves into the reasons why attackers found it impractical to rely on axes to break through castle walls.

Material Strength

One of the primary reasons was the robustness of the materials used in castle construction. Unlike the softer stones found in quarries, castle walls were often constructed using thick, hard stone or brick. These materials were specifically chosen for their strength and durability, capable of withstanding significant force and damage. This inherent hardness made it extremely difficult for axes, which are not designed for such tasks, to make a significant impact.

Construction Techniques

Advanced construction techniques played a crucial role in making castle walls impervious to attacks. Mortar, a binding agent, was used to hold the stones together, creating a sturdy and cohesive structure. This meant that even if an axe managed to dislodge a single stone, the rest remained firmly in place. Additionally, many castle walls were constructed with a slight batter, sloping inward at the top, which added to their stability and resistance to assaults.

Height and Thickness

The sheer height and thickness of the walls made them formidable barriers to break through with axes. Castle walls were often several feet thick, and towered high above the attackers. Breaking through such formidable structures would have required an enormous amount of time and effort. It was simply impractical and inefficient to expect an attacker to expend such resources on something that would yield little to no results.

Defensive Features

Castles were also designed with various defensive features, such as towers, battlements, and arrow slits, which provided defenders with strategic advantages. These features allowed them to repel attackers effectively, whether from ranged weapons or close combat. Direct assaults on the walls became less common as defenders could easily mount counterattacks and pour arrows and other projectiles into the assaulting forces.

Siege Equipment

Attackers often employed sophisticated siege equipment, such as trebuchets, battering rams, and siege towers, to overcome these formidable defenses. These machines were specifically designed to apply greater force to the walls or to provide secure cover for troops attempting to breach them. While axes could be used to break softer stones, the sheer scale and strength of castles made them less effective in comparison to specialized siege equipment.

Tactics and Strategy

Finally, attackers often preferred strategic approaches over direct assaults. Starving out the defenders was a common tactic, as was the use of psychological warfare to create openings in the defenses. This included cutting off supplies, using deception to lure defenders out, or creating openings through which attackers could infiltrate. Direct assaults on well-fortified walls were generally avoided in favor of more strategic and effective methods.

In conclusion, while axes could be used to break softer stones, the formidable construction and strategic design of castle walls made it impractical for attackers to rely on them as a primary means of breaching defenses. Instead, they focused on more effective siege tactics and equipment to achieve their objectives.

Keywords: castle walls, medieval combat, siege tactics, construction techniques, defensive features