My name is William as a castle miner, also known as a sapper, my job is to undermine enemy fortifications by digging tunnels beneath their walls and towers, causing them to collapse.
“Sappers were essential to the success of any medieval siege. These skilled craftsmen and engineers used a combination of brute force and innovative techniques to undermine fortifications and breach walls, often risking their lives in the process.”
Kelly DeVries, Professor of History at Loyola University Maryland and expert on medieval military history.
I receive my orders from the commander, who determines the best approach to the siege and assigns me a team of fellow sappers to work with.
The first step in undermining a castle is to locate a suitable site for digging. This typically involves scouting the perimeter and identifying weak spots in the fortifications, such as areas where the walls are less thick or where the ground is softer.
Once a site has been chosen, we start digging. We use pickaxes, shovels, and other tools to excavate the earth, slowly and carefully carving out a tunnel that will run beneath the enemy’s walls.
As we dig, we must take great care to avoid detection. We work in shifts, with one team digging while another team stands guard to listen for any sounds or vibrations that might alert the enemy to our presence.
“The role of the sapper was crucial in medieval warfare, as they were responsible for creating the breaches that allowed attacking armies to enter a fortress. Their expertise in the art of mining and their ability to create and maintain tunnels beneath enemy defenses gave them a unique and valuable skill set.”
Stephen Turnbull, author and historian specializing in medieval Japan and military history.
The tunnel is reinforced with wooden beams and planks to prevent it from collapsing, and air holes are drilled to provide ventilation. Once the tunnel has been dug and reinforced, we place explosive charges beneath the walls and towers and retreat to a safe distance.
When the charges are detonated, the walls and towers collapse, creating a breach that allows our troops to enter the castle and take control.
As sappers, we play a crucial role in medieval warfare, using our specialized skills to undermine and destroy enemy fortifications. It’s a dangerous and demanding job, requiring patience, precision, and a deep understanding of the enemy’s defenses.
Despite the risks, we take pride in our ability to use the art of undermining to gain the upper hand in siege warfare, and we remain committed to our mission, no matter the cost.