DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.48092#0290
264
durer’s literary remains.
[chap.
competent writers1. The briefest resume must here suffice.
According to M. Ratheau, to whose translation I am much
indebted, the work may be divided into seven parts, describing
respectively,
1. Forts to be erected principally at the angles of town walls.
2. A different kind of angle fort, the scarp of which does not rise
above the level of the ground. A casemated gallery is at the foot of
the scarp.
3. A third kind of fort, square, but for the slight rounding of the
face.
4. The ideal head-quarters of a king, of which more presently.
5. A Block-house to protect a position, thus described : “If a
prince had in his land a narrow, level place lying between the sea, or
some large water, and a hill or lofty precipice, and if the precipice or
hill were so situated that no great force could pass, and the way between
the hill and the water were rather narrow and very long, he might there
build a strong Block-house by which that part of the country would be
closed.”
6. How to strengthen the fortifications of an old town, no longer
strong enough to resist artillery.
7. The mounting of certain pieces of artillery—a brief note.
Diirer dedicated the book to Ferdinand, King of Hungary.
The final draft of this Dedication, agreeing accurately with the
printed copy, and showing scarcely any verbal corrections, is
included amongst the London manuscripts (IV. 1). On the
back of the same leaf the title of the book is written2. The
Dedication is here translated, because it gives a brief explanation
of the author’s intention in writing the book.
“To the most illustrious, mighty prince and lord, Lord Ferdinand,
King of Hungary and Bohemia, Infanta of Spain, Archduke of Austria,
Duke of Burgundy and Brabant, Count of Hapsburg, Flanders, and
Tirol, His Roman Imperial Majesty, our most gracious Lord, Regent
in the Holy Empire, my most gracious Sire.
Most illustrious mighty King, most gracious Sire. During the
life-time of the most illustrious and mighty Emperor Maximilian of
praiseworthy memory, your Majesty’s Lord and Grandsire, I experienced
grace and favour from his Imperial Majesty; wherefore I consider my-
1 Those interested in the subject from a military-historical point of view may refer
to the following :—
C. von der Goltz—A. D.’s Einfluss auf die Entwickelung der deutschen Befesti-
gzmgskunst in H. Grimm—Ueber Kiinstler etc. Vol. II. pp. 189-203.
G. von Imhof—A. D. in seiner Bedeutung f, d. mod. Befest. Nordlingen, 1871.
Grenzboten, 1872, p. 143,
and the Introduction to the above mentioned French translation.
2 Allerley vndericht zu befestigung der stett schloss vnnd decken.
durer’s literary remains.
[chap.
competent writers1. The briefest resume must here suffice.
According to M. Ratheau, to whose translation I am much
indebted, the work may be divided into seven parts, describing
respectively,
1. Forts to be erected principally at the angles of town walls.
2. A different kind of angle fort, the scarp of which does not rise
above the level of the ground. A casemated gallery is at the foot of
the scarp.
3. A third kind of fort, square, but for the slight rounding of the
face.
4. The ideal head-quarters of a king, of which more presently.
5. A Block-house to protect a position, thus described : “If a
prince had in his land a narrow, level place lying between the sea, or
some large water, and a hill or lofty precipice, and if the precipice or
hill were so situated that no great force could pass, and the way between
the hill and the water were rather narrow and very long, he might there
build a strong Block-house by which that part of the country would be
closed.”
6. How to strengthen the fortifications of an old town, no longer
strong enough to resist artillery.
7. The mounting of certain pieces of artillery—a brief note.
Diirer dedicated the book to Ferdinand, King of Hungary.
The final draft of this Dedication, agreeing accurately with the
printed copy, and showing scarcely any verbal corrections, is
included amongst the London manuscripts (IV. 1). On the
back of the same leaf the title of the book is written2. The
Dedication is here translated, because it gives a brief explanation
of the author’s intention in writing the book.
“To the most illustrious, mighty prince and lord, Lord Ferdinand,
King of Hungary and Bohemia, Infanta of Spain, Archduke of Austria,
Duke of Burgundy and Brabant, Count of Hapsburg, Flanders, and
Tirol, His Roman Imperial Majesty, our most gracious Lord, Regent
in the Holy Empire, my most gracious Sire.
Most illustrious mighty King, most gracious Sire. During the
life-time of the most illustrious and mighty Emperor Maximilian of
praiseworthy memory, your Majesty’s Lord and Grandsire, I experienced
grace and favour from his Imperial Majesty; wherefore I consider my-
1 Those interested in the subject from a military-historical point of view may refer
to the following :—
C. von der Goltz—A. D.’s Einfluss auf die Entwickelung der deutschen Befesti-
gzmgskunst in H. Grimm—Ueber Kiinstler etc. Vol. II. pp. 189-203.
G. von Imhof—A. D. in seiner Bedeutung f, d. mod. Befest. Nordlingen, 1871.
Grenzboten, 1872, p. 143,
and the Introduction to the above mentioned French translation.
2 Allerley vndericht zu befestigung der stett schloss vnnd decken.