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 great height also makes it an easy 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]

Gallery

• 
  Cavalier on the left bastion of Dubno Castle, Ukraine
• 
  Ferramolino's Cavalier, Fort St. Angelo, Birgu, Malta
• 
  Saint James Cavalier, Valletta, Malta
• 
  Saint John's Cavalier, Valletta, Malta

References

1. Spiteri, Stephen C. (2010). "Illustrated Glossary of Terms used in Military Architecture". ARX Supplement. MilitaryArchitecture.com: 5.
2.  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Cavalier". Encyclopædia Britannica. 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.