Imagine spending months building a giant siege tower, hauling it across miles of mud, and then getting absolutely wrecked by a bunch of guys standing on a wall. Welcome to medieval warfare.
This TED-Ed video dives into the never-ending arms race between castle builders and the armies determined to tear their creations down. From moats, towers, and concentric walls to trebuchets, tunnels, battering rams, and the arrival of cannons, it’s a fascinating look at how castles evolved into some of the most formidable structures ever built.
You’ll also discover that castles weren’t just defensive fortresses. They were symbols of wealth, seats of government, military headquarters, and giant stone reminders of who was in charge.
If you’ve ever wondered how people attacked a castle… or why so many failed spectacularly… this video has all the answers.