The new method of fortification, as practised by Monsieur de Vauban, Engineer General of France with an explication of all terms appertaining to that art / made English.

A NEW TREATISE OF Fortification. BOOK I. (Book 1)

CHAP. I.

Sect. I. Of the Definition of Military Architecture.

FOrtification, or Military Architecture, as no other thing than an Art, which teache•• Men to fortifie themselves with Ram∣parts, Parapets, Moats, Covert Ways and Glacis's, to the end the Enemy may not be able to attack such a part without great loss of his Men; and that th•• small Number of Soldiers which defend the Place may be able to hold out for some time.

Sect. 2. Of the Original of Fortification.

CErtain it is, that Fortification was Originally very in∣considerable; for in regard that Men had nothing to fear at that time but the Assaults of Wild Beasts, and Robbers they had no other Fortifications than simple Hedges, which continued still in use 328 Years before our Saviour; at what time Alexander the Great found the Hircanians and Mardians fortified after that manner, Q. Curtius, l. 6. c. 5. Afterwards they fortified themselves with Walls, those Hedges being easie to be cut down. But Ambition in∣creasing, in regard that they who coveted Dominion over others, soon found a way to leap over these feeble Defences, they added a Moat, and in making this Moat they raised at the same time a Rampart, behind which the Besieged placed himself, to dispierce the Enemy with their Arrows. The Enemy, not able to surmount these Obstacles, re∣solved to venture some Arrows, to pass the Moat, and lodge himself at the Foot of the Wall, whence the Besieg••d could not chace him, notwithstanding the great Number of Stones which they threw down to annoy the Assailants, because the Enemies covered themselves with their Buck∣lers which they held over their Heads. This obliged those within to make Holes in the Walls, by shooting their Ar∣rows at the Enemy to hinder him from attacking them. For which way soever he came, the Arb••lesta annoyed him. Neverthele••s the Foot of the Walls were without defence, so that the Enemy lodging himself between the nearest Holes, they bethought themselves of making square Towers with Holes on every side: For they stood at the Hea•• of the Walls, to hinder the Enemy from lodging between the Holes in the Wall. True it is, that they soon invented certain Engines which we call at this Day Bartering R••ms, which were strengthened at the Head with a Massie Point o•• Iron, and so pusht against the Walls of those square Towers, till they brought them to ruine. After which

they made Roundels, which were look'd upon as a stronger sort of Fortification, till Powder began to be known in Europe. For we find in History, that in the Y••ar 1380. under the Reign of Wenleslatis, the Son of Charles the IV, a certain Franciscan Monk, whose Name was Berthold Schwarts of Friburg in Brisgau, shewed the first use of Powder to the Venetians, then at War with the Genoeses. After which they made Cannon to batter Places, the furi∣ous execution of which, ranvers'd like a Clap of Thunder those feeble Walls; which obliged them that were attack'd with these astonishing Engines, to erect a good Rampart behind their Walls, and to make the same Walls much thicker than before.

This Manner of Fortification would have subsisted a long time, had it not had one defect; which was, that those Round Towers had one part in the form of a Triangle, which could not be seen by those within; and which the Enemy covered to batter, on purpose that he might lodge himself secure from the Shot of the Besieged, who could not see him in that part. To correct this default, they fill'd that defective part with good Earth, which being en∣vironed with a good Wall, form'd also two Points which look'd toward the Field, as now the Faces of a Bastion, and which covered that part. The Enemy seeing that, be∣gan to attack those two Faces before any other thing: So that the Besieged found themselves obliged to add Flanks to those Faces, to plant Cannon upon them, and prevent the Enemy from doing so much Mischief to the Faces as be∣fore. And thus the Bastions were invented, as we see them at this Day built upon the Angle of the Gorge.

Sect. 3. Of the Parts of Fortification.

THere are three Parts of it; that is to say, Ic••nograp••y, Orthography, and Scenography.

Ichnography is no other than what we call the Plane, or Representation of the Length and Breadth of a Fo••••ress••

of which the Parts are marked out either upon the Ground, or upon Paper.

Orthography is called the Profil, or the Representation of a Fortress made and raised, so that a Man may see the Length, the Breadth, and Heighth of its Parts.

Scenography is the Perspective of the Parts of a Fortress.

Sect. 4. Of the Division of Military Architecture.

FOrtification is Regular or Irregular:

• Regular is that where all the Sides, and all the Angles that compose it, are equal one to another.
• Irregular is that where all the Sides and Angles are not all equal nor uniform one to another. And it is either Durable or Temporary.
• Durable, is that which is built to continue a long time.
• Temporary, is that which is erected in case of necessity for a little time: And under this Signification are contained all sort of Works erected for the seizing upon a Passage, or some Hill, or when they make Circumvallations, and Countervallations; that is to say, Redoubts, Trenches and Batteries.

CHAP. II.

Of the Parts of a Fortress, and its Angles.

• THE Curtin, see Chap. 4. under C.
• The Flank, see•• Chap. 4. under F.
• The Face, see Chap. 4. under F.
• ...

• The Face prolong'd, is the rest of the Flanking Line, af∣ter you have taken away the Face.
• The Flank prolong'd, is the Prolonging of the Flank to the Exteriour Sides.
• The Demi-Gorge, see Chap. 4. under D.
• The Capital Line, see Chap. 4. under L.
• The Line of Defence is made High and Razing. See Chap. 4. under L.
• The Complement of the Curtin, see Chap. 4. under C.
• The Distance of the Polygons, see Chap. 4. under D.
• The Half Distance of the Polygons, see Chap. 4. under D.
• The Interiour Side of the Polygons, see Chap. 4. under C.
• The Exteriour Side of the Polygons, see Chap. 4. under C.
• The Small Diameter, see Chap. 4. under P.
• The Great Diameter, see Chap. 4. under G.
• See the Plan representing all these Parts.

Of the Angles.

• THE Angle of the Center, or Angle of the Figure, is that which is made by drawing Right Lines from the Center to the two meanest Angles of the Polygon.
• The Angle of the Circumference, is the mixt Angle which is made by the Arch, which is drawn from one Gorge to the other.
• The Flank'd Angle, is the Angle compos'd of two Faces.
• The Flanking Angle, is the Angle compos'd of the Line of Defence, and the Curtin.
• The Angle of Complement of the Line of Defence, is the Angle which is made of the two Complements, where they inter-cut one another.
• The Angle Form-Flank, is the Angle which is compos'd of one Flank and one Demi-Gorge.
• The Angle Form-Face, is that which is compos'd by one Flank and one Face.
• The Angle of the Moat, is that which is made before the Curtin, where it cuts it self.
• The Re-entering Angle, is that which retires inward.
• ...

• The Saliant Angle, is that which advances toward the Field.
• See the Plate A.

CHAP. III.

Of the Terms of the Measures.

• A Rod, is the length of 12 Geometrical Feet, and is made use of in Germany and Holland.
• A Fadom, is the length of six Geometrical Feet, of which they make use in France.
• A Geometrical Pace, is the distance of five Geometrical Feet.
• The Simple Pace, is the distance of three Geometrical Feet.
• The Cubit, is the length of one Foot and a half.
• The Geometrical Foot, is the distance of 12 Thumbs breadth.
• A Thumbs breadth, is the length of 12 Lines, of which the one is a Barley-Corn's distance from the other.
• A German League, is the space of 4000 Geometrical Paces.
• An Italian League, is the space of 1000 Geometrical Paces.
• A Simple French League, is the space of 1000 Geome∣trical Paces.
• A Common League, is the space of 2000 Geometrical Paces.
• A Furlong, is the space of 125 Geometrical Paces, of which they make use in Greece.
• A Parasangue, is the distance of 30 Furlongs, or 3750 Geometrical Paces, made use of in Persia.
• The Simple Schoenu•• or Cord, is the distance of 30 Fur∣longs among the Egyptians.
• The Compound Schoenu••, is the distance of 60 Furlongs in Egypt.

CHAP. IV. Of the Names and Terms made use of as well in Attack∣ing, as in the Defence of Places, Alphabetically set down.

A.

• WIngs, are the large Sides which terminate and bound to the Right and Left the Exteriour Works, as the Horn and Crown-Work, &c.
• Wings of Armies, are the Regiments posted upon the Right and Left Hand, when the Army is drawn up in Bat∣talia.
• Antestature, is a small Retrenchment made of Gabions, to possess the remainder of the Gra••d Attack.
• Approaches, are all sorts of Advantages, by the Assistance of which we advance toward a Place besieged.
• Arriere-Card, is that part of the Army which marches after the Main Battel, to hinder and stop Deserters.
• Arsenal, is a place appoin••ed for the forming and preser∣vation of every thing that is necessary for Defence and Assault.
• Artillery, is all sort of Fire-Arms.
• Assault, is an Attack made upon a Fortress, to win it by main force.
• Attack, is an Effort made by the Besiegers, to approach the Walls of a Fortress.
• False Attack, is an Effort to the same end, but more re∣miss, to oblige the Besieged to divide their Forces.
• To Attack in Flank, is to attack both sides of the Ba∣stion.

B.

• Bacule, is a Gate that is made like a Pit-fall, with a Counterpoise, before the Corps de Gards advanced near the Gates, and which is supported by two great Stakes•• a Portcullice.
• ...

• Banquette, a little Foot-pace at the bottom of the Para∣pet, upon which the Soldiers get up to fire into the Moat, or upon the covert way.
• Barricadoes, are Trees cut with six Faces, cross'd with Battoons as long as a Half-Pike, bound about with Iron at the feet, and set up in Passages or Breaches to keep back as well the Horse as Foot.
• Barriers, are great Stakes planted 10 Foot one from another, about four or five Foot high, with their Tran∣soms or overthwart Rafters, to stop those that would enter with Violence; and where they cry to every Body that shew themselves, Whence come ye?
• Bastion, is a Heap of Earth usually rais'd upon the An∣gle of the Gorge, compos'd of two Flanks and two Faces.
• Flat Bastion, is that which is rais'd upon the Curtin, when it is too long to be defended by the Bastions on each side.
• Battalion, are several Foot-Soldiers rang'd in Battalia: It is compos'd of two Marches of Musqueteers, and a Cen∣ter of Pikemen.
• Battery, is a place rais'd, whereon to plant the Great Guns, and play upon the Enemy.
• Berme, is a little space of four or five Foot, left at the foot of the Rampart without, to prevent the Earth from falling into the Moat.
• Blinds, are pieces of Wood set a-cross upon the Tren∣ches to sustain the Bavins or Hurdles laden with Earth, which are to cover the Trench.
• Red Bullets, are Bullets made red hot in a Forge, with which the Cannon are charg'd to set Fire upon Houses or Magazines.
• Boyau, is a Moat border'd with a Paraper, which is drawn from one Trench to another for better Communi∣cation.
• Breach, is the Ruine which the Cannon or a Mine makes in a Fortification to take it by Assault.
• Brisure, is a Line from four to five Fathom, which is al∣low'd to the Curtin and Orillon to make the hollow Tower, or to cover the conceal'd Flank.

C.

• A Bomb-Chest, is a kind of a Woodden Chest wherein are put from three to six Bombs, which is placed under Ground, to blow it up into the Air, in case it be taken.
• Camp Flying, is a small Body of an Army which keeps the Field, to prevent the Incursions of the Enemy, harrass the Country, hinder Convoys, and to throw it self into any besieged Place.
• Caponiere, is a hollow Lodgment•• of about four or five Foot, border'd with a little Parapet of above two Foot high, to hold Planks laden with Earth; there are little Embrasures sometimes made in 'em, which are called Mur∣dresses. This Lodgment is wide enough to contain 20 or 30 Soldiers, and is usually placed upon the Extremity of the Counterscarp.
• Carcasse, is an Artifi••ial Fire, compos'd of from three to four Granadoes, with several Barrels of Pistolets charg'd, and wrapt up in Tow, dipt in Oyly Substances, with a pitch'd Cloath round about it: All which is put in a kind of Lanthorn, which has a thin Plate of Iron at each end, held fast by two Branches of Iron, which are cross'd by Circles of the same Matter; and in one of these thin Plates there is a hole to fire the Carcass, which is after∣wards forced into the Air like a Bomb.
• Cartouche, is a Roll wherein the Charge of the Cannon is put, which besides the Powder consists of several Chain-Rings, ends of Pistols, Bullets, Heads of Cart-Nails, and and other Iron Materials: And the Cannon conceal'd in the retired Flanks is usually charg'd with such Cartouches to make the more Havock.
• Cascans, are certain Wells, some more hollow than others, which are made in the Retrenchment of the Platform near the Wall, to give Air to a Mine.
• Casamatte, is a certain Vault made in a part of the Flank which is next the Curtin, all of Masons Work; it is made to fire upon the Enemy, and defend the face of the opposite Bastion, and the Moat.
• Cavalier, is a mass of Earth raised in a Fortress, to lodge

• the Cannon, to scoure the Field, or oppose a command∣ing Work.
• Chandeliers, are wooden Parapets covered with Bavins, filled with Earth about a Foot high, made use of in Ap∣proaches, Mines and Galleries to cover the Workmen, and hinder the Besieged from constraining them to quit their labour.
• Chauses Trappes or Caltrops, are Irons with four Spikes about four Inches long, so dispos'd, that which way soever they fall, one Point still lyes uppermost; they are made use of to throw into Moats and Breaches, to stop the hasty coming on of the Enemy.
• Covert Way, is a Walk round about the Moat towards the Country, having a Foot-pace and the Glacis for a Parapet.
• The Chemin de Ronde, is a Walk between the Rampart and the Wall.
• The Shirt or Chemise, is the So••••dity of the Wall from the Talus to the Stone Row.
• Cheva••x, or Freisland Horses, so call'd, because first made use of at Groningen, a City of Freisland, are great pie∣ces of Wood with six Sides, driven through Piles or Stakes of Wood armed with Iron, to hinder the Horse and Foot from going forward.
• Circumvallation, is a Moat bordered with a Parapet, which slanks it self from distance to distance, sunk about the Besiegers Camp, as well to hinder the Relief of the Besieged, as to stop Deserters.
• Clayes, are Twigs interwoven together, having the Fi∣gure of a long Square; they are plac'd upon an Allodg∣ment, and cover'd with Earth; and sometimes they are laid upon marshy Ground to consolidate it.
• Coff••r, is a hollow'd depth from 6 to 7 foot, and broad from 16 to 18, all athwart a dry Moat: Upon the upper part of this they place a Parapet, and a Cross, pieces of Wood, cover'd with Clayes loaden with Earth.
• Commandment, is a height of 9 foot which one place has above another.
• Complement of the Curtin, is the remainder of the Curtin,

• after you have taken away its Flank, to the Angle of the Gorge.
• Complement of the Line of Defence, is the remainder of the Line of Defence, after you have taken away the Angle of the Flank.
• Counter-Approaches, are Works which the Besieged make to hinder the Approaches of the Enemy.
• Counterscarp, is properly the declining of the Moat on that side next the Country; although by this term is un∣derstood, the Covert-way with its Parapet.
• Counter-Forts, are certain Pillars and Parts of the Walls, distant from 15 to 20 foot one from another, which advance themselves as much as may be in the Ground, and joyn themselves to the height of the Cordon, by Vaults, to sustain the Chemin de Rondes, and part of the Rampart, to fortifie the Wall, and strengthen the Ground.
• Counter-Gards, are Triangular Pieces, in form of a large Parapet, which raise themselves above the Moat before the Faces and the Point of the Bastion to preserve them.
• Countermine, is a Subterran••al Way which the Besieged makes in search of the Enemies Mine, to take away the Powder, and frustrate the effect of it, though fir'd by the Assailant.
• Countervallation, is a Moat guarded with a Parapet, which the Besiegers make to secure themselves from the Sallies of the Garison.
• Corbeills, are a sort of Gabions fill'd with Earth, plac'd upon the Parapet to fire upon the Enemy, without being seen by them.
• Cordon, is a row of Stones made round, which is plac'd where the Wall ends, and the Parapet begins; and it runs round about the place.
• Coridor, is the Covert way above the Counterscarp, round about the place, between the Moat and the Palisadoes.
• Cornes or Horns, are Outworks which advance toward the ••••eld, and carry in the fore part two half Bastions in the form of Horns, which they present to the Enemy.
• Crowning, is a Work drawn beyond the Horns to keep the Enemy at a distance.
• Curtin, is the longest streight Line that runs about the

• Rampart drawn from one Flank to the other, and border'd with a good Parapet 5 foot high, behind which the Soldiers place themselves to fire upon the Covert way, and into the Moat.
• Cu••ette, a little Moat about 4 fathom broad, which is usually sunk in the middle of a great dry Moat, till you meet with Water. It is good to prevent the Besiegers Mining.

D.

• Defenses, are all sorts of Works that flank one another, and which the Enemy desires to ruin, before he strive to pass the Moat.
• De••ilé, is a streight narrow passage, through which there is no marching but in file.
• Dehors, are all sorts of separate Outworks, as Rave∣lins, Half-Moons, Hornworks, Crownworks, Counter-guards, Tenailles, &c. the better to secure the main Place.
• Demi-distance of Polygons, is the distance between the Exteriour Polygons and the Flanks.
• Demi-gorge, is a Line drawn from the Flank to the Angle of the Polygon.
• Demi-lune, is a small flank'd Bastion, plac'd before the Point of a Bastion, when it is too weak; sometimes this Work is plac'd before the Curtin, when the Moat is a lit∣tle wider than it ought to be••
• D••scent into the Moat, is a deep digging into the Earth of the Covert way, in form of a Trench, of which the upper part is cover'd against Artificial Fires, to secure the descent into the Moat.
• Distance of Polygons, is the Line compos'd from the Flank and its Prolongation, to the Exterior Polygon.
• Donjon, is a Place of Retreat, to Capitulate with more advantage in case of necessity.

E.

• Embrasure, the Hole through which the Great Guns are discharged.
• Embuscade, the Place where the Souldiers hide themselves to surprise the Enemy.
• ...

• Enceinte, the Circumference of a Place, sometimes lin'd, and compos'd of Bastions and Curtins, sometimes not.
• Esplanade, is the place void of Houses, between the Cit∣tadel and the Town.

F.

• Face, is the most advanced part of the Bastion toward the Field, and is the first Attack'd.
• Fascins, are Bavins of small Wood, two Foot broad, and four long, bound about at the ends and middle, thrown into Moats where there is much Water, to facilitate the passage over to the Wall.
• Fals Braye, is a small Rampart four Fathom wide, bor∣der'd with a Parapet, and a Banquet, running round about the Body of the Place. It is made use of to Fire upon the Enemy, when he is already so far advanc'd, that you can∣not force him back from off the Parapet of the Body of the Place; or else, to receive the Ruins which the Cannon make in the Body of the Place.
• Flank, is the part which joyns the Curtin to the Face of the Bastion, from which the Face of the next Bastion re∣quires its Defence.
• Flank Covert, is that, the exteriour part of which ad∣vances to secure the innermost; which advanced part, if it be rounded, is called an Orillon.
• Flank Fichant, that which plays, and fixes its Bullets in a direct Line in the Face of the adjoyning Bastion.
• Flank Razant, is that, from the Conjunction of which with the Curtin, the shot razes the Face of the next Ba∣stion; which happens when the Face cannot be discovered but from the Flank alone.
• To Flank a Place, is to play upon a place in such a man∣ner, that there shall be no part of it but what is Defended; and from which you may play upon the Enemy both in Front and Rear, and so oblige him to retire
• Forts of the Field, or Fortins, are all Fortresses, whose Flank'd Angles are distant one from another 120 Fathom. They are only for a time to guard some Passage, or dan∣gerous Place; or else they are used in Circumvallation.
• Fougade, is a small Mine made under the Ground,

• which the Enemy would blow up. It is furnished with some Sacks of Powder, to which the Sawcedge is fix'd, which answers to another Post, to the end it may be Fi••'d without danger.
• Fraises, are pieces of Wood from 7 to 8 Foot long, driven in almost half way into the Earth of the Ram∣part without side, and a little below the Parapet, they present their points somewhat sloping toward the Field; and are made use of to prevent De••erters and Surprizes.

G.

• Gabions, are Baskets equally wide at top and bottom, about four Foot in Diameter; they are fill'd with Earth, and usually plac'd upon Batteries and Parapets that have suffer'd very much, and before other places, to secure them from the Enemies Shot.
• Gallery, is a cover'd walk, either of Earth or Turff. The sides of it are made with Planks and Pillars; and they are made use of in the Moat already fill'd with Fa∣gots and Bavins, to the end the Minor may approach safe to the Bastion.
• Glacis, is the Parapet of the Covert-way, which looses it self insensibly in the Field. The largest are the best.
• Gorge, is the entrance of the Platform of the Bastions and other Works: It never ought to have a Parapet, for fear the Enemy being Ma••ter of it, he should secure himself thereby from the shot of the Garison.
• Granado, a little hollow Globe fill'd with Powder, to which there answers a little Fusee of Powder, to set them on Fire; they a••e used to Fire close and narrow Places; or else to disorder the Ranks of the Soldiers.
• Grand Demi Diameter, is the Line compos'd of the Ca∣pital, and the small Demi-Diameter of the Polygon.
• Gazons, are peices of fresh Earth, covered with Grass, about a Foot long, and half a Foot thick, cut in the form of a Wedge to line the Parapet, and the Traverses of the Galleries.

H.

• Herisson, a Beam, with a great quantity of Nails ha∣ving

• their points outward; it is supported by a Pivot upon which it turns, to stop up any passage instead of a Barrier.
• Herse, is a Lattice, or Portcullice, of great pieces of sharp-pointed Wood at the lower end, sustained by a Cord fastened to a Moulinet, which is cut in case of surprize, to the end the Herse may fall, and stop up the Passage of a Gate, or other Entrance of a Fortress.
• Horse-Shoe, is a Work sometime round, sometime oval, bordered with a Parapet: It is made to secure a Gate, or to relieve an over-tedious Defence.

L.

• Line Capital, is a Line drawn from the Angle of the Gorge to the Angle of the Bastion.
• Line Cogrital, is the Line drawn from the Angle of the Center to the Angle of the Bastion.
• Line of Defence, is that which is represented by the Dis∣charge of the small Shot, which uncovers the Face of one Bastion by razing it.
• Line of Defence Fichant, is the Line drawn from the common Point to the Curtin, and from the Flank to the Flank'd Angle of the Bastion.
• Line of Defence Razant, is the Line drawn from the Ca∣pital Line of a Bastion, to that part of the Curtin where the Defence begins, to discover the Face of the same Ba∣stion.
• Lines of Communication, are the Lines that run from one Work to another, to stop the Fury of the Enemy.
• Lines within-side, are the Moats toward the Place to hinder Sallies.
• Lines without-side, are the Moats toward the Field to hinder Relief.
• Lodgment of an Attack, is a Work cast up in a dange∣rous Post, to secure themselves against the Enemies Fire•• This Lodgment is made of all the Materials that are ca∣pable to make Resistance.
• To Line, is nothing else but to environ a Rampart, Pa∣rapet or Moat with a good Wall or good Turff.

M.

• Madrier, is a thick Plank, sufficient to cover the Mouth of a Petard, and which is applyed with the Petard against the Places they would break: This Term is also applied to several Flat Beams which are put at the bottom of a Moat to support the Wall.
• Mantellet, is one or several Planks joyn'd together, and cover'd with Tin, carried upon two Wheels, which the Pioneers in a Siege drive before them to secure themselves against the small Shot.
• Merlon, is that part of the Paparet which is between the two Embrasures.
• Mortier, is a piece of great Cannon very short, which is charged with Bombs, Carcasses, or Stones; and is moun∣ted upon a Carriage, the Wheels of which are very low.
• Moulinet, is a cross of Wood, which turns Horizontally upon a wooden Stake, which stands at the side of the Bar∣rier, between the Bars of which the Footmen pass.
• Moyenau, a ••ort of small flat Bastions, plac'd in the mid∣dle of an over long Curtain, of which the Bastions that are at the Extremities, are not well defended from the small shot by reason of their distance. This Work is pro∣per for the placing in it a Body of Musketters, to Fire from all sides.

N.

• Nailing of Cannon, the driving of a Nail by force into the Touch hole of a great Gun.

O.

• Orgues, are thick and long pieces of Wood, hung up over a Gate, every one by a Cord, which answers to the Moulinet, that is to be cut in case of a Surprize; and they are to be preferred before Herse's.
• Orillon, is a small Rounding, which joyning with the hollow Tower, at the end of the Face of the Bastion, co∣vers one part of the Flank.

P.

• Pallisadoes, are wooden Stakes from 5 to 7 Foot high, arm'd with two or three Iron points, which are fix'd be∣fore

• Fortresses, Curtins, Ramparts, and Glaces: Some there are which are not arm'd with Iron.
• Parapet, is an Elevation of Earth upon the Rampart, behind which the Soldiers stand, and where the Cannon is planted for the defence of the Place.
• Park, is a certain Place made choice of in the Camp, out of Cannon-shot of the place Besieged, to plant the Artillery, and to keep the Artificial Fires, Powder, and warlike Am∣munition, which is only guarded by Pike-men.
• Petard, is a hollow Engin made of ••etal, almost in the shape of a Cap, from seven to eight Inches deep, and five Diameter in the Muzzle. It is charg'd with Powder beaten as small as may be, and then fix'd to the Madrier.
• Petty Demi-Diameter, is the Circumference drawn from the Center through the Gorges.
• Place of Arms, is a Piece of Ground sufficient to draw up the Men to be sent from thence as occasion requires.
• Place of Arms without, is a Place allowed to the Covert Ways, where they make obtuse Angles, whereon to plant some Pieces of Cannon, or Falcons, to force those that ad∣vance in their Approaches to retire.
• Place of Arms particular, is a Place near every Bastion, whence the Soldiers sent from the Grand Place to the Quarters assign'd them, relieve those that are either upon the Guard, or in Fight.
• Place Irregular, is a Place whose Angles and Sides are unequal.
• Place Regular, whose Angles and Sides are every where equal.
• Plane, the Representation of a Work in its Heighth and Breadth.
• Plat-Form, is the whole Piece of Fortification raised in a re-entring Angle.
• Polygon Exterior, is the distance of one point of a Basti∣on, from the point of the other.
• Pont de Ionc, is a Bridge made of great Bundles of Bull∣rushes, that grow in the Marshes, which are afterwards bound together, upon which they lay Planks, and then lay them in muddy and marshy places to secure their footing.
• ...

• Pont Flottant, or Floating Bridge, is a Bridge made in form of a Redoubt, composed of two Boats covered with Planks: They ought to be so solidly fram'd, as to bear Horse and Cannon.
• Potern, is a false Door, often made at the bottom of the Curtin, or near the Orillon, for private Sallies.
• Profil, the Draught of a Work, with all its Length••, Breadths and Heighths.

Q.

• Quarter of a Siege, is the Incampment upon one of the most principal and important Passages round about the Place besieged, to prevent Relief, and Convoys.

R.

• Ravelin, is a small Triangular Work without Flanks, and having no more than its two Faces: It is generally rais'd before the Curtins, where the Moat makes a Saliant Angle.
• Redans, Works made in form of the Teeth of a Saw in Re-entring and Saliant Angles, to the end that one part may defend another: They are usually placed upon the En∣trances into Rivers.
• Redoubt, is a small square Fort, having no defence but in Front. It is usually designed to maintain the Trench, for Circumvallations, and Countervallations; and in Watry Places they are often made of Masons Work for the secu∣rity of the Neighborhood.
• Reduit, an advantageous piece of Ground Entrench'd from the rest of the Place, to retire to in case of sur∣prize.
• Rampart, is the raising of the Earth which runs about a Place, composed of Bastions and Curtins, wherein to put the Soldiers, and plant the Cannon for the defence of the Place.
• Retirade, an Intrenchment form'd by two Parapets ma∣king a Re-entring Angle, which is made in a Work re∣solved to be disputed Inch by Inch. Sometimes it has a Moat.
• ...

• Retrenchment, is a Work made of part of a Rampart, when the Enemy is so far advanced, that he is no longer to be resisted or beaten from the Old Rampart; and to the end that he may not make any New Opposition; it is bordered with a good Parapet, and sometimes with Gabioris and Bavins laden with Earth.
• Ridea••, is a small Elevation of Earth in the plain Field, which extends it self in length; very proper for those that would besiege a Place at a near distance, and to secure those that would approach to the Foot of the Place.
• Rondel, is a Round Tower sometimes raised at the Foot of the Bastions.

S.

• Sack for Earth, a Sack of Course Cloth to contain a Foot, or a Foot and a half; serviceable upon several Oc∣casions, but especially for the making Retrenchments in haste.
• To Saignor a Moat, to empty the Water by Subterra∣neal Conveyances, to pass it the more easily, after you have cast Hurdles upon the Mud that remains.
• Sappe, is the deep digging into the Earth of the Covert Way and Glacis in the Form of a Trench. The Earth which is thence digged out, serves for security on the Right and Left, and covers you above against the Fire∣works by the help of the Hurdles laden with Earth.
• A Sarrasins, is no more than a Herse.
• Saucidge, is a piece of long Cloth, of which they sow the sides all along in form of a Gut, which they dip in Pitch, and fill with Powder: The largeness of it ought to be so much as to contain a Tennis-Ball; and then they put one end of it to the place where the Mine is, or a Fou∣gade, or Chest of Bombs, and the other end answers to the place where the Engineer stands that sets it on fire.
• Saucidges, are Faggots made of great Boughs, bound in the middle and both ends; whose use is the same with that of Bavins.
• Shouldring, is nothing but the Or••llon.
• Scalade, the mounting of the Wall with Ladders.
• Scarp. The Talus.
• ...

• Stars, a Work with severall Faces, composed of Parts, of which the one flanks the other.
• Sillon or Envelop, a little Rampart covered with its Pa∣rapet raised in a very large Moat, the Draught of which Forms Re-entring and Saliant Angles, to the end that the Parts may reciprocally flank each other.

T.

• Talut, is that part which is allow'd to Works, whether of Earth or Masonry, the better to suppo••t them; and the worse the Earth is, the more the Sloop ought to be.
• Tenaille, is a Fortification that has in front a Re-entring Angle, when it has no Flanks; and this is call'd a Simple Tenaille: But if it have Flanks, then it is call'd a Flank'd Tenaille.
• Terre-plain, is that part of the Rampart, which is equal∣ly level for the Recoil of the Cannon.
• Towre Hollow, is a Rounding made of the Remainder of the two Brisures to joyn the Curtain to the Orillon; where the Small-Shot are placed, that they may not be so much exposed to the view of the Enemy.
• Trenches, are Moats which the Besiegers make to ap∣proach the more securely to the Place attacked. The depth of it ought to be from 6 to 7 Foot; the breadth from 8 to 10. They are so to be carried on, as not to be in view of the Enemy.
• Traverse, is a little Moat bordered with a Parapet to the Right and Left, which the Besieger makes quite athwart the Moat of the Place, to pass secure from Flank-Shot, and bring his Miners to the Bastion. This Travers is covered with Hurdles loaden with Earth, for security from the Fire-Works. The only difference between this Work and the Coffer is this, that the one is made by the Besieger, and the other by the Besieged.

V.

• Vedette, a Sentinel on Horseback.