Anadvanced work,advance-work oradvanced outwork is afortification oroutwork in front of the main defensive building[1] orcastle.[2]
In theMiddle Ages in theHoly Roman Empire, advanced works, known asVorwerke (singular:Vorwerk), were commonly found in smaller villages that were located in front of the main castle. Within these advanced works often lived relatives of theknightly family whose ancestral seat was in the castle itself. As a result, the advanced works becamemanor houses and were known locally asschlosses. They were suitable for defending against minor attacks and offered the village population a degree of protection. In the case of major attacks they also acted as anearly warning system for the castle. Because the advanced works were supposed to function autonomously, a link with agricultural estates was possible, such estates then became granges orvorwerkenden Gutshöfen. Later they also took over administrative tasks. Over the course of time these advanced works detached themselves from the castle and became independent estates.
