Artillery in the Middle Ages

In the Middle Ages, artillery referred to large weapons designed for long-range combat, primarily used from the late 13th century onwards. Key types included catapults, trebuchets, and cannons. These machines could launch projectiles like stones or explosive charges over walls or at enemy troops, changing how battles were fought. They provided a significant advantage during sieges and battlefields by breaching fortifications and causing chaos among ranks. The development of gunpowder artillery in the late Middle Ages marked a turning point, leading to the decline of traditional fortified castles and altering military strategies for centuries to come.