Board Thread:Rewatching "Merlin" - Season One/@comment-5102537-20130428092325/@comment-6905051-20130508122810

This was probably the logic behind Uther's doing.

See, usually when we have barricade, war situation, everything is rationed and people who can fight are given priority, atleast in middle ages. If the citizens left, or died Uther would not have a kingdom to protect. But on the other hand, if Uther and his strong army survives, people will again come and settle in the country. people will go wherever they are safe and secure. On the other hand, if the army is decimated or made weaker, It is difficult to train or create a soldier. probably 1 out of 20 citizens will become a proper soldier. So from Uther's POV he was not wrong. Also being surrounded by enemies, I doubt  he could risk getting the news of weakening army around. The moment disaster strikes a kingdom, enemies are more than happy to jump in and take advantage of situation.

That being said, providing no food for common citizens etc do sound cruel based on humanitarian values of todays world. But we are talking abour brute and unforgiving middle ages.

There were several inconsistencies in the episode too, like Regan and Fimber pointed out.