Postern

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Postern, Manila. Tomás Sanz. 1783. SHM
Postern, Manila. Tomás Sanz. 1783. SHM
South-eastern postern, Puilaurens castle
South-eastern postern, Puilaurens castle

A postern is a secondary door or gate, particularly in a fortification such as a city wall or castle curtain wall. Posterns were often located in a concealed location, allowing the occupants to come and go inconspicuously. In the event of a siege, a postern could act as a sally port, allowing defenders to make a sortie on the besiegers.