Cavalier (fortification)

Illustration of a cavalier (the structure on the right, marked as "B") from *Dictionnaire raisonné de l’architecture française du XIe au XVIe siècle* by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc

A cavalier is a fortification which is built within a larger fortification, and which is higher than the rest of the work. It usually consists of a raised platform within a fort or bastion, so as to be able to fire over the main parapet without interfering with the fire of the latter.^[1] Through the use of cavaliers, a greater volume of fire can be obtained, but its greater height also makes it an easier target for a besieger's guns.^[2]

There are two types of cavaliers:

Common cavalier – a raised gun platform without any additional defensive features
Defensible cavalier – a raised gun platform surrounded by a ditch. If the ditch cuts across the bastion's terreplein and is supported by cuts, the cavalier can also be considered as a retrenchment.^[3]

References

^ Spiteri, Stephen C. (2010). "Illustrated Glossary of Terms used in Military Architecture". ARX Supplement. MilitaryArchitecture.com: 5. Archived from the original on 25 October 2010.
^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Cavalier" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 562–563.
^ Pasley, Charles William (1822). A Course of Elementary Fortification - Volume II (2 ed.). London: John Murray. pp. 337–342.

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[1] Spiteri, Stephen C. (2010). "Illustrated Glossary of Terms used in Military Architecture". ARX Supplement. MilitaryArchitecture.com: 5. Archived from the original on 25 October 2010.

[2] Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Cavalier" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 5 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 562–563.

[3] Pasley, Charles William (1822). A Course of Elementary Fortification - Volume II (2 ed.). London: John Murray. pp. 337–342.

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