DEFENCE

, in Sieges, is used for any thing that serves to preserve or screen the soldiers, or the place. So the parapets, flanks, casemates, ravelins, and outworks, that cover the place, are called the defences, or covers of the place: and when the cannon have beaten down or ruined these works, so that the men cannot fight under cover, the defences of the place are said to be demolished.

Line of Defence, is that which flanks a bastion, being drawn from the flank opposite to it.

The line of defence should not exceed a musket shot, i. e. 120 fathoms: indeed Melder allows 130, Scheiter 140, Vauban and Pagan 150.

Line of Defence, greater, or fichant, is a line drawn from the point of the bastion to the concourse of the opposite flank and curtin.

Line of Defence, lesser, or rasant, or flanquant, is the face of the bastion continued to the curtin.