Sconce (fortification)
Encyclopedia
A Sconce is a small protective fortification
, such as an earthwork
often placed on a mound as a defensive work for artillery. It was used primarily in Northern Europe
from the late Middle Ages
until the 19th century. This type of fortification was common during the English Civil War
, and the remains of one such structure can be see on Fort Royal Hill
in Worcester
, England. During the Eighty Years' War, sconces were often used to defend strategic places, but were used also during siege
s and in circumvallations. Several more or less intact sconces remain in the Netherlands.
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...
, such as an earthwork
Earthworks (engineering)
Earthworks are engineering works created through the moving or processing of quantities of soil or unformed rock.- Civil engineering use :Typical earthworks include roads, railway beds, causeways, dams, levees, canals, and berms...
often placed on a mound as a defensive work for artillery. It was used primarily in Northern Europe
Northern Europe
Northern Europe is the northern part or region of Europe. Northern Europe typically refers to the seven countries in the northern part of the European subcontinent which includes Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland and Sweden...
from the late Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
until the 19th century. This type of fortification was common during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, and the remains of one such structure can be see on Fort Royal Hill
Fort Royal Hill
Fort Royal Hill, is in a park in Worcester, England, and the site of the remains of an English Civil War fort.-History:Fort Royal was a Civil War redoubt on a small hill to the southeast of Worcester overlooking the Sidbury Gate...
in Worcester
Worcester
The City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the...
, England. During the Eighty Years' War, sconces were often used to defend strategic places, but were used also during siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
s and in circumvallations. Several more or less intact sconces remain in the Netherlands.