Coffer (fortification)
Encyclopedia
In fortification
, coffer a hollow lodgment, against a dry moat
, the upper part being made of pieces of timber
raised about two feet above the level of the moat. This elevation has hurdles filled with earth which serves as a parapet
with embrasure
s. The coffer is similar to the caponier
. The difference is that the former may be made beyond the counterscarp
, and the latter is always in the moat. Another difference is that the coffer takes the whole breadth of the moat while the caponier does not.
Fortification
Fortifications are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs...
, coffer a hollow lodgment, against a dry moat
Moat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that surrounds a castle, other building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices...
, the upper part being made of pieces of timber
Timber
Timber may refer to:* Timber, a term common in the United Kingdom and Australia for wood materials * Timber, Oregon, an unincorporated community in the U.S...
raised about two feet above the level of the moat. This elevation has hurdles filled with earth which serves as a parapet
Parapet
A parapet is a wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony or other structure. Where extending above a roof, it may simply be the portion of an exterior wall that continues above the line of the roof surface, or may be a continuation of a vertical feature beneath the roof such as a...
with embrasure
Embrasure
In military architecture, an embrasure is the opening in a crenellation or battlement between the two raised solid portions or merlons, sometimes called a crenel or crenelle...
s. The coffer is similar to the caponier
Caponier
A caponier is a type of fortification structure. The word originates from the French word "caponnière" - which strictly means capon-cote i.e. chickenhouse.The fire coming from the feature A caponier is a type of fortification structure. The word originates from the French word "caponnière" -...
. The difference is that the former may be made beyond the counterscarp
Counterscarp
A scarp and a counterscarp are the inner and outer sides of a ditch used in fortifications. In permanent fortifications the scarp and counterscarp may be encased in stone...
, and the latter is always in the moat. Another difference is that the coffer takes the whole breadth of the moat while the caponier does not.