Deercreek Manor has a large fighting force of 10,000 fighters including 6,000 mercenaries, 3,000 homegrown knights, and 1,000 serfs. The knights have been highly trained since childhood and wear full plate armor for protection. Various weapons are used depending on the fighter including longswords, maces, and battering rams. The manor also has strategic defenses like concentric walls, moats, drawbridges, and portcullises to withstand sieges. During battles, an array of siege weapons like ballistae, battering rams, and catapults are employed along with techniques like mining, naval combat, and mounted sword fighting.

1. Deercreek Manor By: Page Stein, Kaitlyn Yale, and Mo Ostrowski

2. Fighters

3. Knights Main fighters Started training when they were young Very skilled Came from noble families Wealthy enough to buy nice, protective equipment If they preformed well in battle, they were given more land or an advance in the social hierarchy

4. Mercenaries Often used in battle Paid fighters Usually came from different countries Not as loyal

5. Our Army We have a total of 10,000 fighters 6000 are mercenaries 3000 are homegrown knights 1000 are serfs under feudal obligations Our Mercenaries are paid an extravagant amount to ensure their loyalty and their utmost fighting abilities Our knights have been trained since they were very young under the best trainers we could find

6. Armor Only wealthy people could afford armor

7. From the Earlier Middle Ages Chainmail armor, consisting of thousands of interlocking rings woven by hand to form shirt, coif, or leggings Under the metal armor the knight wore a padded garment called an aketon or gambeson Shield made of leather covered wood Helmet

8. From the Later Middle Ages Plate armor Used as reinforcement to the chest and shoulder Later used to cover the whole body

9. Our Armor Our fighters use a full body set of armor that is made out of plate armor Will keep them better protected

10. Weapons

11. Lords and Their Weapons Daggers - Short pointed knives Flail - A jointed weapon consisting of a spiked or knobbed steel head joined by a chain to a short wood handle Maces - Maces developed from a steel ball on a wooden handle, to an elaborately spiked steel war club Falchion Sword- generally made from iron with steel edges, single edged blade with a slight curve, 37 - 40 inches long Great Sword- two-edged blade, 50 - 72 inches long, primarily used for cutting or slicing an opponent and was capable of cutting off the limbs or head of an enemy in one stroke Long Sword- Cutting Weapon, used for cutting or slicing an opponent and was capable of cutting off the limbs or head of an enemy in one stroke

12. Lord’s Weapons Flail Mace

13. Our Lords Our lords are each equipped with a great sword Each lord also is able to carry a weapon of their choice, either in place of, or with their supplied weapon

14. Knights and Their Weapons Lance - A long, strong, spear-like weapon. Designed for use on horseback Heater Shields - The 'heater' shields, strongly associated with jousting knights. These were smaller as they complimented full suits of armor and were suited to horseback The Targe (or Target shields) were the traditional Scottish round shield Battering Rams

15. Kinght’s Weapons Heater Shields Battering Ram

16. Our Knights We have a number of knights that are assigned to the battering rams The other knights each carry a shield, and most are on horseback They use a weapon of their choice

17. Serfs and Their Weapons Battle Axes Maces Billhook Caltrops Flail Halberd Longbow Boes Crossbow

18. Serf’s Weapons Halberd Caltrops

19. Relics We have 3 relics that are blessed by the pope that we can use to help us in our battle

20. Deercreek manor fighting techniques

21. Manor Features

22. Concentric Walls Last line of defense Three layers of walls Sieges could not get through all sets of walls before they were killed by the army People would go to the inner set of walls if there was an attack To strong for sieges to break through all of them

23. Moats Deep, wide, water filled trench Circled all the way around the castle Made it hard for seiging armies to get their battering rams up against the castle Armies would try to dig under the walls of castle, a moat would prevent this from happening

24. Drawbridges Large wooden bridge that connected the castle to land (over the moat) This would be down in times of peace It would be put up if an army was attacking, making it impossible for them to get in

25. Portcullises These were large iron gates that raise and lower vertically They were located at both ends of tunnels that lead into our castle (this was the only way in and out) When our castle is being invaded, we would close the inner gate and wait until the invaders are inside of the of tunnel, then close the outer gate, making them completely vulnerable

26. Battlements These were crenellated shapes at the top of a castle that make it extremely easy to shoot arrows and other weapons down at an invading army

27. Mining and Sapping prevention Castle is built on solid rock Impossible to dig under the walls Fighters already dug ‘counter mines’ Our men can dig into the attackers tunnels to either kill the sappers or to set fire to the pit-props to collapse the attackers' tunnel

28. Fighting Techniques

29. Mounted Sword Techniques In this picture, the rider in the front has the other in a hold, and his right hand is gripping the blade.

30. Mounted Sword Techniques The rider in the front has blocked his enemy by ramming his sword handle against his enemy’s elbow.

31. Mounted Sword Techniques The knight in the back grabbed the enemy’s sword, and he is about to launch a very powerful strike.

32. Mounted Sword Techniques The rider on the left has stopped the swords handle, and is about to strike the enemy with a dagger.

33. Battle Season Spring to autumn, by early-spring all the crops would be planted, which would free the men for warfare During this time it is easier to live off the land Weather is good during this time

34. Supply Caravans These were caravans carrying supplies for the armies. It could travel by land, sea, or rivers.

35. Siege Warfare Weapons Ballista- purpose was to throw arrows, either one at a time, or multiple at one time – VERY accurate Battering ram- used to break through fortification walls and create an entry point for fighters Catapult – used to hurl things long distances

36. Siege Weapons Battering Ram Ballista Catapult

37. Siege Warfare Siege tower- rectangular shaped and sat on four wheels, built higher than the castle walls to allow archers to shoot into the castle or fortress Helepolis - tall square tower that was supported on four wheels, The lower stories held machines used to throw projectiles (large stones). The middle section contained catapults for throwing darts (large spears). The top section was used for throwing smaller stones and smaller catapults. Manned by 200 soldiers Soldiers can propel it without taking a direct hit from the enemy

38. Siege Weapons Helepolis Siege Tower

39. Mining and Sapping Involves digging a tunnel under the walls of a fortress Mines reinforced with wood for support When the tunnels are finished they will be filled with explosives Breaks down the fortress wall and allows our fighters an entrance point Protection provided for the miners so they cannot be harmed from attackers above

40. Naval Army Army of 100 boats 10,000 serfs used to power all boats Ram out boats into enemy boats so the fighters can get onto the enemy boats and fight the enemy No cannons because they are too heavy and often cause fires onboard the ships