Covertway Explained

In military architecture, a covertway or covered way (French: chemin couvert, Italian: strada coperta) is a path on top of the counterscarp of a fortification. It is protected by an embankment which is made up by the crest of the glacis.^[1] It is able to give the fort's garrison a position beyond the ditch, as well as a continuous line of communication around the outworks.^[2]

An enlarged area within a covertway designed to allow troops to assemble on it is known as a place-of-arms.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Spiteri. Stephen C.. Illustrated Glossary of Terms used in Military Architecture. ARX Supplement. 6. 2010. MilitaryArchitecture.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20170603174909/http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/index.php/Journals/illustrated-glossary-of-military-architecture-terms.html . 3 June 2017.
2. Web site: Covered. Webster's 1913 Dictionary. 27 August 2015.
3. Book: James. Charles. A New and Enlarged Military Dictionary. 1802. T. Egerton. London. 629.