Originally posted by knighttemplar1960:

The game is based around Norse myth and the programmers are from Norway. Ancient Norwegian defense was a trelborg. A settlement that was ringed by an earthen berm that was in turn circled by a dry moat with gates at each cardinal point and a draw bridge over the moat at the gate.

Well, the programmers are located in Sweden, and mostly from Sweden as far as I know. The Trelleborg ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_ring_fortress ) was a defensive structure, but mainly found in Denmark, a few in Sweden, and one suspected in Norway. It's a Norse thing, but Norse doesn't mean Norwegian.

As far as OP's issues - it's part of the game. Sounds like you had a great battle and now have a few more ideas on how to make a better defense for your next/upgraded base. Just a temporary setback in the end :)