Key Point: Siege ladders were used as a means for soldiers to scale defensive walls during a siege. These ladders, often made of wood, allowed attackers to breach fortifications and engage in hand-to-hand combat with defenders atop the walls.
This article will give you everything you need to know about siege ladders. From when they were first used, to how they were used. And we will examine, were siege ladders even worth using. And obviously, you will see what lead to them disappearing from sieges.
As always let’s start by establishing a few things first. For example: What are siege ladders? And since when were siege ladders used in sieges?
Siege ladders were a type of ladder that was used to scale fortifications during military sieges. They typically consisted of a long wooden ladder with hooks at the top. So that could be secured onto the battlements or walls of a fortress. Siege ladders have been used since ancient times, with evidence of their use dating back to at least the 9th century BC in Assyria. The use of siege ladders continued throughout history, with various modifications and adaptations made to suit different fortifications and military tactics.
That was the basic introduction to siege ladders. Now, let’s take a look at their history, before going into the tactics behind the use of siege ladders.
The Ancient History And Origin Of Siege Ladders
Siege ladders have been an important tool in the history of warfare for thousands of years. The first evidence of their use according to this article goes back to 537 B.C. when it was used by Rome.
Although some historians claim it goes back even further to the Assyrian Empire in the 9th century BC. The Assyrians employed several innovative siege weapons. And there is evidence they were among the first to employ siege towers as well.
Back then they were used to go over fortifications during military campaigns. Over time, siege ladders evolved and became more sophisticated, with different designs and materials used depending on the needs of the attacking army. In medieval Europe, siege ladders were often made of wood and used in combination with other siege engines. Namely battering rams and catapults.
Remember, when I said there were different variations? Well … there were quite a few. I was surprised to learn how many.
Different Versions Of Ladders Used In Sieges
There were many variations in the design of siege ladders over time. Many armies and cultures developed their own variations. Based on what they needed. Some of the design variations of siege ladders included:
- Hooked Ladders These ladders had hooks at the top that could be attached to the walls or battlements of a fortress.
- Movable Ladders Could be extended or retracted to adjust to the height of the wall or to allow for movement along the wall.
- Wheeled Ladders These ladders had wheels at the base that allowed them to be rolled up against the wall, making it easier to position and climb them.
- Trestle Ladders These ladders were made of two A-shaped supports with rungs between them, allowing soldiers to climb up and over obstacles.
- Scaling Ladders Were similar to hooked ladders, but had a more complex system of hooks and rungs that allowed them to be secured to different types of fortifications.
And you thought there was just one type of siege ladder. From the 5 ladders above I find the “movable ladder” most useful in sieges.
How Were Siege Ladders Used?
Siege ladders were typically used in the assault phase of a siege. This is where the attacking army would attempt to breach the walls or fortifications of a fortress. Soldiers carrying the ladders would approach the fortress under cover of darkness or other forms of concealment and then position the ladders against the wall or battlements. The soldiers would then climb up the ladders, using the hooks and rungs to help them scale the walls.
How They Protected The Soldiers Climbing The Ladders
Cover fire from archers, crossbowmen, or other ranged weapons was often used to keep the defenders pinned down and unable to effectively counterattack the soldiers using the ladders. This was particularly important when soldiers were first attempting to climb the ladders, as they would be vulnerable to attack while exposed on the walls.
Attacking armies would also employ siege towers or other siege engines to provide cover for soldiers using the ladders. These towers could be moved up against the wall, providing a platform for soldiers to climb onto the battlements without being exposed to enemy fire. However, siege towers were often more difficult to construct and move than siege ladders, and were therefore not used as frequently.
Were Siege Ladders Effective Though?
The use of siege ladders was a risky but effective tactic in breaching fortifications during a siege. While the soldiers using the ladders were vulnerable to attack, the element of surprise and the ability to quickly climb the walls often allowed attacking armies to gain a foothold within the fortress, leading to its eventual capture.
So, were siege ladders effective? Yes. Yes, they were. But now, it’s time we take a look at how siege ladders were destroyed. So, how did the defenders, well, defend against siege ladders?
How They Defended Against Siege Ladders?
Defenders of fortifications had several tactics for countering the use of siege ladders. The most common tactic was the use of ranged weapons. Such as archers or crossbowmen. They were used to shoot at the soldiers attempting to climb the ladders.
They also used boiling oil, water, or other liquids to pour down on the soldiers. This made it difficult or impossible for them to continue climbing.
In addition, defenders could also try to destabilize the ladders themselves. They could do this by cutting the ropes or supports of the ladder. This caused it to collapse or fall away from the wall. Defenders could also use long poles or hooks to push the ladders away from the wall.
Defenders could also use other defensive structures, such as battlements or crenellations, to their advantage. These structures could provide cover for defenders to shoot at the attackers, while also providing obstacles for the attackers to overcome as they attempted to climb the ladders.
Defenders of fortifications had several tactics at their disposal for countering the use of siege ladders. And these tactics were often effective in preventing attackers from successfully breaching their defenses.
Now, let’s tackle a common question I see people asking about siege ladders.
How Tall Were Siege Ladders?
Siege ladders did not have a standardized size throughout the centuries while they were in use. The reason for that is that the walls an army had to scale varied from fortification to fortification. City to city.
This also meant that the length of siege ladders varied based on what the attacking army was up against. As I mentioned before you had the “movable ladder” with which you could manipulate the length to an extent. But all in all siege ladders were as tall as they needed to be to help the attacking army get on the walls of a defending city or fortification.
Now, that we took care of that frequently asked question. Let’s examine one other important thing. Why did siege ladders fall out of use after thousands of years of being used in sieges?
Why Did Siege Ladders Stop Being Used
The use of siege ladders declined in modern warfare for several reasons.
One reason is that fortifications themselves became less common as firearms became more prevalent, and open battles on open terrain became more common. Another reason is that advances in artillery technology made it much easier for attackers to simply blast holes in fortifications. Which negated the need for scaling the walls. And the development of more mobile and versatile assault equipment, such as tanks and helicopters, made it possible for attackers to bypass fortifications altogether.
In modern warfare, siege ladders are rarely used, if at all. This is due to the fact that they are largely impractical for the types of battles and fortifications encountered on the modern battlefield. They are generally considered outdated and ineffective in modern military tactics.
In Conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to read this article on siege ladders and their use throughout history. I hope you learned a thing or two about a wonderful piece of siege weapon history. If you wish to continue learning I suggest taking a look at my article on the Springald. Which was another siege weapon used in the Middle Ages.
Take care!