![Table of Fortification, Cyclopaedia, Volume 1](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Table_of_Fortification%2C_Cyclopaedia%2C_Volume_1.jpg)
A crownwork is an element of the
trace italienne
A bastion fort or ''trace italienne'' (a phrase derived from non-standard French, literally meaning ''Italian outline'') is a fortification in a style that evolved during the early modern period of gunpowder when the cannon came to domin ...
system of
fortification
A fortification is a military construction or building designed for the defense of territories in warfare, and is also used to establish rule in a region during peacetime. The term is derived from Latin ''fortis'' ("strong") and ''facere' ...
and is effectively an expanded
hornwork
A hornwork is an element of the Italian bastion system of fortification. Its face is flanked with a pair of demi-bastions.
It is distinguished from a crownwork, because crownworks contain full bastions at their centers. They are both outwork
...
(a type of
outwork). It consists of a full
bastion with the walls on either side ending in half bastions from which longer flank walls run back towards the main fortress.
The crownwork was used to extend the fortified area in a particular direction, often in order to defend a bridge, prevent the enemy occupying an area of high ground, or simply strengthen the overall fortifications in the expected direction of attack.
See also
* The
Kronverk
The Kronverk (russian: Кронверк, from the German word for "crownwork") is a ground fortification for the Sts. Peter and Paul Fortress in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The Kronverk is situated on Petrogradsky Island, across the small island ...
, St Petersburg, Russia
Notes
References
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{{Fortifications
Fortification (architectural elements)