Fire Battering Rams Ladders Catapult Mining Siege Fire Fire was the best way to attack the early Motte and Bailey castles since they were made entirely of wood. As the fire spread through the castle those living inside would be forced to leave allowing the attackers to take them prisoner or kill them. This was one of the reasons why Motte and Bailey castles were soon replaced by Stone Keep castles.
Fire has little effect on a stone castle.
The thick stone walls of the Stone Keep castles were difficult for men to knock down. Although pickaxes could be used against castles with thinner walls, it would take a very long time to knock a hole through a castle with very thick walls. The battering ram was particularly useful since the weight of several men would be put behind it. This would make it a considerable force that could seriously weaken and possibly destroy doors or walls. Battering Ram Ladders Ladders were used by those attacking a castle to climb over the walls and fight the castle inhabitants within the castle walls.