The Ottoman army was one of the most feared and powerful fighting forces in the medieval world. Its soldiers fought using a mixture of skill, brute strength and psychological warfare. Ismail Kadare tells the story of the siege of a Christian fortress in the Albanian mountains.
Besieging a Medieval Fortress
The Siege is told from two perspectives; a Christian defender watching his fortress face attack from the Ottoman army and an Ottoman chronicler charged with the task of recording the battle for posterity.
The author builds the tension successfully from both viewpoints. He demonstrates the fear of the defenders as they watch thousands of troops make camp outside the fortress, amid rumors of new and deadly weapons which will be used against the Christians. On the other side, chronicler Mevla Celebi watches the fear of soldiers on the eve of the attack as they drink heavily in an attempt to mask their terror.
The attack is discussed in detail, with plenty of information about how the attackers attempt the siege, using gunpowder, tunnelling and ladders to try and break the defenders. At the other side, the defenders cut off the limbs of any soldier who successfully climbs the fortress walls.
Medieval Warfare
Ismail Kadare provides a bloody and gory narrative, revealing just how terrifying and dangerous it was to take part in medieval warfare. There are some vivid and detailed accounts of brutality, but these are in keeping with the nature of the battle and are interspersed with accounts of day-to-day life on a battlefield. The relationships between the various ranks of warriors and between the opposing sides are also explored.
There are many interesting parallels between medieval hostilities and present-day battles, with some of the place names in the novel still the focus of modern hostilities. The religious differences between Christianity and Islam are also very topical.
Summary
Ismail Kadare is a former Man Booker prize-winner and his skill as a storyteller is evident in The Siege. The plot is intense and fast-moving and the author’s descriptions of medieval hostilities are vivid and moving. He describes medieval warfare on a huge scale, whilst still managing to incorporate details of everyday life and individual personalities.
Anyone who is interested in the mechanics of war in the Middle Ages would find this an engrossing read. Although this is a work of fiction, the descriptions of medieval instruments of war and the way in which battles were conducted are well-researched and accurate.
Publication Details
Kadare, Ismail The Siege [Canongate,2008]
328 pages ISBN 9781847670304
