| Machicolation | |
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 Cutaway of a medieval wall. The machicolation is labelled G. |
Inarchitecture, amachicolation (French:mâchicoulis) is an opening between the supportingcorbels of abattlement through which defenders could target attackers who had reached the base of thedefensive wall. A smaller related structure that only protects key points of a fortification are referred to asBretèche. Machicolation,hoarding,bretèche, andmurder holes are all similar defensive features serving the same purpose, that is to enable defenders atop a defensive structure to target attackers below. The primary benefit of the design allowed defenders to remain behind cover rather than being exposed when leaning over the parapet. They were common in defensive fortifications until the widespread adoption of gunpowder weapons made them obsolete.
The word machicolation derives fromOld Frenchmachecol, mentioned inMedieval Latin asmachecollum, probably from Old Frenchmachier 'crush', 'wound' andcol 'neck'.[1] The verbMachicolate is first recorded in English in the 18th century, butmachicollāre is attested inAnglo-Latin.[2][page needed]
The oldest known buildings with machicolation areAncient Roman fortifications of theLimes Arabicus dating from the 4th century AD.[3] The design was brought to Europe from the Levant following thecrusades and became especially prevalent in Southern Europe.
Machicolations were more common in French castles than English, where they are usually restricted to the gateway, as in the 13th-centuryConwy Castle.[4] Within France, machicolation is more common on southern castles. One of the oldest extant examples of machicolation in northern France is atChâteau de Farcheville which was built from 1290 to 1304.[5]
