BOOK ONE. SECONDLY, CONCERNING STARS.

A 3

Star Forts are constructed more rarely in the United ProvincesThe Dutch Republic, which was in the midst of the Eighty Years' War against Spain during this period. than by the Spaniards; their internal area is rather cramped and their perimeter is too large. Nevertheless, they surpass Redoubts, insofar as they provide DefenseIn 17th-century engineering, "defense" refers specifically to flanking fire—the ability to shoot along the face of a wall from a protected side position., which Redoubts lack.

A large technical diagram containing eleven geometrical figures labeled No. 4 through No. 14, illustrating various star-shaped and polygonal fortification plans (star forts). The figures include squares, diamonds, and multi-pointed stars with alphabetical labels (A, B, C, D, etc.) marking vertices and intersection points. There are also scale bars and numerical degree notations (e.g., 45, 90) within some figures. The bottom right of the diagram is labeled "Fig: B".

THERE ARE FIVE MAXIMS OF DEFENSE.

1. Complete defense is preferred over partial defense.
2. The closer the defense is, the better it is.
3. The more oblique the defense (up to an angle of fifteen degrees), the thicker and more concentrated it will be.
4. But the closer it approaches a right angle, the more its width will increase.
5. The longest defense shall not exceed the range of a musket.

It is also required that it be held as true—since experience demonstrates the effect—that a musket fires point-blankoriginal: "point en blanc"; the distance a projectile travels in a straight line before gravity causes it to drop significantly. to a distance of six hundred feet, but further out, the ball drops more and more, having lost much of its force. Nevertheless, it is still sufficient to achieve its effect at a distance of seven hundred and fifty feet. This is why the longest defense will be approved by us from six hundred up to seven hundred and fifty feet. And one must be warned that defense alone is considered less than sufficient; rather, Fortresses must be built in such a way that the defense is provided by the musket, and then in case of necessity, the Artillery will also be placed there, joining its defense with that of the musket fireoriginal: "mousquetades"..