Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Fortified town
(865 words)

In the Middle Ages, almost all the larger towns of Central Europe had a town wall, which documented civic self-awareness and the municipal need for security. In many cases, towns serving as oversize castles were also strategically important sites in the military thinking of  sovereigns (Territorial sovereignty [Holy Roman Empire]). They could serve as fortified refuges as well as secure bases for military forays. With the change in contemporary military technology and tactics that took place in the 15th century, however, it was soon evident …

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Keller, Katrin, “Fortified town”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_SIM_019224>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20180126



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