The New Fortification

...sea, in the form of a tongue, or a Promontory; such as, for example, Vlissingen in Zeeland Vlissingen, often referred to in English as Flushing, was a key strategic port in the Dutch Republic during the 17th century.. The second situation will be that which has large rivers on both sides, or at least on one.

Regarding the order we shall maintain, we say that the Geometric method (for either would be indifferent to me) is the first; and thus it must take precedence, insofar as it is more fundamental. However, we will join the Mechanical method to it at the end to remedy any defects. But the geometric method considers a work in three ways: the first according to the lines, and such a treatise will be in the first book, where simple Designs basic drawings or sketches of the fortification's layout will be handled. The second consists in the consideration of planes, where Profiles side-view cross-sections of the walls and ditches and Ichnographies ground-level floor plans or bird's-eye maps will be explained in the second book. The third method is the contemplation of Solids Original: "Corps." In 17th-century geometry, this refers to the three-dimensional volume and mass of the structures., which will be perfectly taught in the third book. In the fourth book, Mechanics and the principles of offense will be shown; and the whole will be finished as succinctly and diligently as possible.

But in conclusion, we will pray the reader to note well that our measurement will not be the Holland Rod a standard Dutch unit of length, roughly 12.3 feet or 3.76 meters, but the Rhineland Foot, namely the twelfth part of such a rod. Such a foot will be divided into ten primes, one hundred seconds, and one thousand thirds Goldman is proposing a decimal-like system for dividing the foot, which was a modern mathematical innovation at the time to simplify calculations in engineering.; for we find this manner more general, and the tables will be useful wherever the local foot does not greatly exceed the Rhineland foot. Also, it is a thing that causes confusion when one finds that the foot is of two different lengths in the same work—namely the foot used by surveyors professionals who measure land boundaries and that of the Rhineland; this is why we will never speak of Rods, but always of Rhineland feet.

Finally, regarding the arrangement of the entire work, we will place here the disposition in the form of tables, with the Register of Propositions and the tables themselves which are included therein; affectionately praying the reader to be willing to find it good and agreeable, and not to speak of it as some ignorant persons have done, without cause, to our disadvantage.