What was the point of a pitched battle?

Destroying enemy's army?
In any case sieges were more common, less risk involved.

>>1589859
Usually, to either relieve a siege or to keep it intact, depending on which side you're on. Sometimes it was just to break your enemy's power though.

>>1589859
Getting things over quickly.

>>1589859
To eliminate a concentrated force threatening your army's ability to move safely through a region or attack a fortification.

Seeing everyone already said what I wanted to say I will go ahead with the fact it was less expensive than a siege if you only wanted to kill them. But it was risky therefore everyone l did sieges.

>>1589859
Crush the opposing army and force a favorable surrender so you gain whatever it is you want quickly.

Were pitched battle and siege the only options?

>>1591745
You either fight behind a wall or in the field. There have always been blended battles between the two, but it's pretty much that simple.

>>1591745

Raids.

>>1589859
To settle a dispute between rival power structures.