Asconce is a small protectivefortification, such as anearthwork, often placed on a mound as a defensive work for artillery.[1] It was used primarily inNorthern Europe from the lateMiddle Ages until the 19th century. This type of fortification was common during theEnglish Civil War, and the remains of one such structure can be seen onFort Royal Hill inWorcester, England.[2]
During theEighty Years' War for Dutch independence, the sconces (schans in Dutch) were often used to defend strategic places, but were used also duringsieges and incircumvallations. Several more or less intact sconces remain in the Netherlands.
TheZaanse Schans, one of the top tourist locations in the Netherlands, derived its name from its original function as a sconce. Sconces played a major part in theSerbian Revolution, countering the numerical superiority of the Turkish army. Most notable cases are the battles atMišar,Deligrad andČegar.
The etymology of sconce is from the Latinabsconsus, via the Frenchesconce: a word of many meanings, mostly signifying a covering or protection, or, by extension, that which is covered or protected.[3] The word is closely related to the medieval Dutchschans and the German wordSchanze, as used for example in the name ofHitler's military headquarters, theWolfsschanze.[4]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Sconce".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 24 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 407.
