It was useless to attempt a parley; still more useless to think of attacking the stronghold without the proper machines and appliances.

Foaming with rage, Sir Rudolph took possession of a cottage near, camped his men around and prepared for a siege.
There were among the mercenaries many men accustomed to the use of engines of war.

Many, too, had aided in making them; and these were at once set to work to construct the various machines in use at that time.
Before the invention of gunpowder, castles such as those of the English barons were able to defy any attack by an armed force for a long period.
Their walls were so thick that even the balistas, casting huge stones, were unable to breach them except after a very long time.

The moats which surrounded them were wide and deep, and any attempt at storming by ladders was therefore extremely difficult; and these buildings were consequently more often captured by famine than by other means.

Of provisions, as Sir Rudolph knew, there was a considerable supply at present in the castle, for he had collected a large number of bullocks in order to feed the strong body who had been added to the garrison.