For the Boston area punk band see Siege (band). For the James Mason book see Siege (book) A siege is a prolonged military blockade and assault of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition. A siege occurs when an attacker encounters a city or fortress that refuses to surrender and cannot be easily taken by a frontal assault. Sieges usually involve surrounding the target and blocking the provision of supplies, typically coupled with siege engines, artillery bombardment or sapping (als ...

Including:

• Siege - Ancient and medieval siege warfare
• Siege - Mongol siege warfare
• Siege - Sieges in the age of gunpowder
• Siege - Emerging theories on improving fortifications
• Siege - New styles of fortresses employed
• Siege - Marshal Vauban
• Siege - Advent of mobile warfare
• Siege - Modern warfare
• Siege - Recent sieges
• Siege - Police actions
• Siege - Bibliography
• Siege - Notes

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See also:

Siege of Amida, Siege of Amida - Background, Siege of Amida - Siege, Siege of Amida - Outcome, Siege of Amida - Sources, Siege of Amida - External link

Read more here: » Siege of Amida: Encyclopedia II - Siege of Amida - Siege

List of sieges - Ancient. Siege of Megiddo (c. 1457 BCE) Siege of Dapur (c. 1296 BCE) Siege of Troy (c. 1200 BCE) Siege of Hermopolis (c. 715 BCE) Siege of Jerusalem (701 BCE) - the Assyrian siege of Sennacherib Siege of Syracuse (415 BCE) - the Athenian siege Siege of Tyre (332 BCE) by Alexander the Great Siege of Rhodes (305 BCE) by Demetrius Poliorcetes Siege of Agrigentum (261 BCE) (First Punic War between the Roman Republic and Car ...

See also:

List of sieges, List of sieges - Military sieges, List of sieges - Ancient, List of sieges - Medieval, List of sieges - Early modern, List of sieges - Modern, List of sieges - Police sieges

Read more here: » List of sieges: Encyclopedia II - List of sieges - Military sieges

The crusaders decided to attack Damascus from the west, where orchards would provide them with a constant food supply. They arrived at Daraiya on July 23, with the army of Jerusalem in the vanguard, followed by Louis and then Conrad in the rearguard. The Muslims were prepared for the attack and constantly attacked the army advancing through the orchards outside Damascus on July 24. The orchards were defended by towers and walls and the crusaders were constantly pelted with arrows and lances along the narrow paths. Thanks to a charge by Conra ...

See also:

Siege of Damascus, Siege of Damascus - Background, Siege of Damascus - Council of Acre, Siege of Damascus - Siege, Siege of Damascus - Aftermath, Siege of Damascus - Sources

Read more here: » Siege of Damascus: Encyclopedia II - Siege of Damascus - Siege

However, before these forces could have been assembled, Mehmet II's invasion army (160,000 men in early accounts, 60-70,000 according to newer research) arrived at Nándorfehérvár. On July 4, 1456, the siege began. Szilágyi could only rely on a force of 5-7,000 men in the castle. Mehmet set up his siege on the neck of the headland and started firing on the walls on June 29, 1456. He arrayed his men in three sections. The Rumelian (that is, European) corps had the majority of his 300 cannons, and his fleet of 200 or so river vessels had th ...

See also:

Siege of Belgrade, Siege of Belgrade - Preparations, Siege of Belgrade - Siege, Siege of Belgrade - Battle, Siege of Belgrade - Aftermath, Siege of Belgrade - Follow Up

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Siege of Sarajevo - Build-Up. From its creation following World War II, the government of Yugoslavia kept a close watch on nationalism among the Yugoslav peoples, as it could have led to chaos and the breakup of the state. With longtime marshal Tito's death in 1980, this policy took a dramatic reversal. Serbian nationalists, led by Slobodan Milošević pushed for change in state structure and government that would give an advantage to the Serbs. This in turn led to a rise in power among nationalist political grou ...

See also:

Siege of Sarajevo, Siege of Sarajevo - Siege, Siege of Sarajevo - Build-Up, Siege of Sarajevo - Warfare, Siege of Sarajevo - Alleged ethnic cleansing, Siege of Sarajevo - Aftermath, Siege of Sarajevo - Siege of Sarajevo in art

Read more here: » Siege of Sarajevo: Encyclopedia II - Siege of Sarajevo - Siege

On September 19, 1618, Mansfeld's army reached the outskirts of the city. The defenders blocked two city gates and the third one was reinforced with additional guards. The Protestant army was too weak to start an all-out assault on the castle, so Mansfeld decided to take the city by hunger. On October 2 the Protestant artillery arrived, but the calibre and number of the cannons was small and the bombardment of the city walls brought little effect. The siege continued, with the Protestants receiving new supplies and recruits on a daily basis, while the defenders lacked food and munitions. Also, the main city well was destroyed and the ...

See also:

Siege of Plzeň, Siege of Plzeň - Eve of the battle, Siege of Plzeň - Siege, Siege of Plzeň - Aftermath

Read more here: » Siege of Plzeň: Encyclopedia II - Siege of Plzeň - Siege

During the rebellion, the castle was held by 50 Irish troops, along with 16 Spanish, who had arrived at Smerwick earlier in the year as part of the Papal invasion force; there were also women and children present. Months earlier, an Italian engineer, Captain Julian, had set about perfecting the castle's defences under the direction of Desmond's countess, Eleanor. By the time of the siege, she had retired to her husband's company - some forty miles (64 km) distant, ...

See also:

Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle, Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle - Background, Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle - Siege, Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle - Consequences

Read more here: » Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle: Encyclopedia II - Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle - Siege

Under pressure from Tokyo, Nogi turned his attention to 203 Meter Hill, the highest point of ground in the Russian defense line. None of the Japanese positions afforded unobstructed observation of the harbor or town so the Japanese artillery could not be accurately directed against the port. 203 Meter Hill (so-called because of its height above sea-level) located about three miles north of Port Arthur and part of the Russian outer defense system, offered the best view upon which Japanese artillery spotters could offer the guns the exa ...

See also:

Siege of Port Arthur, Siege of Port Arthur - Background, Siege of Port Arthur - Initial phase of the fighting, Siege of Port Arthur - Siege, Siege of Port Arthur - Impact on History

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In the original Schlieffen Plan for the invasion of France, the German strategy had called for the invasion of both Holland and Belgium. The Belgian plains would provide excellent terrain for passage of the German infantry and artillery, compared to the forested and more uneven terrain to the south. However Moltke modified the original plan (fatally, as it would prove) by reducing the strength of German forces on the right wing. He cancelled plans to invade Holland, limiting the invasion to Belgium. However access to the Belgian plains was c ...

See also:

Siege of Liège, Siege of Liège - Fortifications, Siege of Liège - Siege

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The introduction of gunpowder and the use of cannons brought about a new age in siege warfare. Cannons were first used in the early 13th century, but did not become significant weapons for another 150 years or so. By the 16th century, they were an essential and regularized part of any campaigning army, or castle's defences. The greatest advantage of cannons over other siege weapons was the ability to fire a heavier projectile, further, faster and more often than previous weapons. Thus, 'old fashioned' walls—that is high and, relativ ...

See also:

Siege, Siege - Ancient and medieval siege warfare, Siege - Mongol siege warfare, Siege - Sieges in the age of gunpowder, Siege - Emerging theories on improving fortifications, Siege - New styles of fortresses employed, Siege - Marshal Vauban, Siege - Advent of mobile warfare, Siege - Modern warfare, Siege - Recent sieges, Siege - Police actions, Siege - Bibliography, Siege - Notes

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The Siege of Petersburg (June 15, 1864 – April 2, 1865) was a ten-month long siege of Petersburg, Virginia, during the American Civil War. It foreshadowed the trench warfare that would be common in World War I, earning it a prominent position in military history. Petersburg had been a supply center for Richmond given its strategic location just south of the capital. Not only was it oriented on the Appomattox River, but it was also a major crossroads and a junction for five railroads. The taking of Petersburg by Union forces w ...

Including:

• Siege of Petersburg - Early stages
• Siege of Petersburg - Initial Union attacks
• Siege of Petersburg - The Crater
• Siege of Petersburg - Extending the flanks
• Siege of Petersburg - Deep Bottom
• Siege of Petersburg - Globe Tavern
• Siege of Petersburg - Reams' Station
• Siege of Petersburg - Chaffin's Farm and New Market Heights
• Siege of Petersburg - Peeble's Farm
• Siege of Petersburg - Boydton Plank Road
• Siege of Petersburg - 1865 and the end of the siege
• Siege of Petersburg - Hatcher's Run
• Siege of Petersburg - Fort Stedman
• Siege of Petersburg - Five Forks
• Siege of Petersburg - Fall of Petersburg

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In 1144, Joscelin was able to make an alliance with Kara Aslan, the Ortoqid ruler of Diyarbakir, against the growing power and influence of Zengi. Joscelin marched out of Edessa with almost his entire army to support Kara Aslan against Aleppo. Zengi, already seeking to take advantage of Fulk's death in 1143, hurried north to besiege Edessa, arriving on November 28. The city had been warned of his arrival and was prepared for a siege, but there was little they could d ...

See also:

Siege of Edessa, Siege of Edessa - Background, Siege of Edessa - The siege, Siege of Edessa - Aftermath, Siege of Edessa - Sources

Read more here: » Siege of Edessa: Encyclopedia II - Siege of Edessa - The siege

The Boers then proceeded to surround Ladysmith and cut the railway link to Durban. Colonel French and his Chief of Staff, Major Douglas Haig escaped on the last train to leave, which was riddled with bullets. This town was then besieged for 118 days. White knew that large reinforcements were arriving, and could communicate with British units south of the Tugela River by searchlight and heliograph. He expected relief soon. Meanwhile, his troops carried out se ...

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Siege of Ladysmith, Siege of Ladysmith - The Outbreak of War, Siege of Ladysmith - Mournful Monday, Siege of Ladysmith - Nicholson's Nek, Siege of Ladysmith - The Siege, Siege of Ladysmith - The Storming Attempt, Siege of Ladysmith - The later Siege and Relief, Siege of Ladysmith - Sources

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By the time Cortes arrived at the shores of Tenochtitlan, the population of the city was ravaged by smallpox, which had been brought by a deserted spanish slave in the capital during La Noche Triste. Those who were not dead or infected were starving from the blockade. Mexica resistance was almost entirely wiped out at this point from contracting diseases at battles. Others were either wounded, exhausted (there had been a drought across the valley for about 2 years at this point) or merely felt resistance would be most effective at other area ...

See also:

Siege of Tenochtitlan, Siege of Tenochtitlan - Early Events, Siege of Tenochtitlan - Battle Of Tacuba, Siege of Tenochtitlan - The Siege, Siege of Tenochtitlan - Reference

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The German armies quickly reached Paris and on September 15 Moltke issued orders for the investment of the city. Crown Prince Albert's army closed in on Paris from the north unopposed, while Crown Prince Frederick moved in from the south. On September 17 a force under Vinoy attacked Frederick's army near Villeneuve Saint Georges in an effort to save a supply depot there and were eventually driven back by artillery fire. The railroad to Orleans was cut and on the 18th Versailles was taken, which would then serve as the 3rd Army's and eventually Wilhelm's headquarters. By September 19 the encirclement ...

See also:

Siege of Paris, Siege of Paris - Background, Siege of Paris - The Siege, Siege of Paris - Results, Siege of Paris - Trivia

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On December 11, 1572 the Spanish army put Haarlem under siege. The city was not very strong, military speaking. Although the city was completely surrounded by citywalls, they were not in a very good shape. The area around the city could not be inundated, and offered the enemy a lot of places the set up a camp. However, the existence of the Haarlemmermeer (a great lake) nearby, made it difficult for the enemy to cut off the ...

See also:

Siege of Haarlem, Siege of Haarlem - Pretext, Siege of Haarlem - Under siege, Siege of Haarlem - Surrender

Read more here: » Siege of Haarlem: Encyclopedia II - Siege of Haarlem - Under siege

Image:Antioch 1912.jpeg By mid-November Bohemund's nephew Tancred had arrived with reinforcements, and a Genoese fleet had sailed into the port at St. Symeon, bringing extra food and supplies. The siege dragged on, and in December Godfrey fell ill and food supplies that had been plentiful were running out with the approaching winter. At the end of the month Bohemund and Robert of Flanders took about 20,000 men and went foraging for food to the south, but while they were gone, Yaghi-Siyan made a sortie out of the Gate of St. George on Decembe ...

See also:

Siege of Antioch, Siege of Antioch - Background, Siege of Antioch - Arrival of the crusaders, Siege of Antioch - First siege, Siege of Antioch - Famine, Siege of Antioch - Tatizius departs, Siege of Antioch - English reinforcements, Siege of Antioch - Fatimid embassy, Siege of Antioch - Capture of Antioch, Siege of Antioch - Second siege, Siege of Antioch - Discovery of the Holy Lance, Siege of Antioch - Battle of Antioch, Siege of Antioch - Aftermath

Read more here: » Siege of Antioch: Encyclopedia II - Siege of Antioch - First siege

By the end of the day on June 3, the crusaders controlled most of the city, except for the citadel, which remained in hands of Yaghi-Siyan's son Shams ad-Daulah. John the Oxite was reinstated as patriarch by Adhemar of Le Puy, the papal legate, who wished to keep good relations with the Byzantines, especially as Bohemund was clearly planning to claim the city for himself. However, the city was now short on food, and Kerbogha's army was still on its way. Kerbogha arrived only two days later, on June 5. He tried, and failed, to storm the city on June 7, and by June 9 ...

See also:

Siege of Antioch, Siege of Antioch - Background, Siege of Antioch - Arrival of the crusaders, Siege of Antioch - First siege, Siege of Antioch - Famine, Siege of Antioch - Tatizius departs, Siege of Antioch - English reinforcements, Siege of Antioch - Fatimid embassy, Siege of Antioch - Capture of Antioch, Siege of Antioch - Second siege, Siege of Antioch - Discovery of the Holy Lance, Siege of Antioch - Battle of Antioch, Siege of Antioch - Aftermath

Read more here: » Siege of Antioch: Encyclopedia II - Siege of Antioch - Second siege

During the autumn, more European crusades arrived, allowing Guy to blockade Acre by land. News of the imminent arrival of Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor reached the crusaders, which not only raised the morale of the Christian soldiers, but also compelled Saladin to bring in so many more troops that he was able to surround both the city and the crusade camp in two separate sieges. The next fifteen months passed with no major actions on either side. On October 31 fifty Muslim galleys broke through the Christian sea blockade and supplie ...

See also:

Siege of Acre, Siege of Acre - Background, Siege of Acre - Tyre, Siege of Acre - Acre, Siege of Acre - Battle of Acre, Siege of Acre - The double siege, Siege of Acre - The kings at Acre, Siege of Acre - The execution of the prisoners, Siege of Acre - Aftermath

Read more here: » Siege of Acre: Encyclopedia II - Siege of Acre - The double siege