Travel theme: History

The impressive tower ruins of Vire‘s Redoubt in Normandy, France.

In 1123, Henri I Beauclerc, King of England and Duke of Normandy, had a redoubt constructed on a rocky hill top, which was surrounded by the Vire river.

A redoubt is a fort, consisting of an enclosed defensive emplacement outside a larger fort, usually relying on earthworks. Some –like this one– are constructed of stone or brick.

It is meant to protect soldiers outside the main defensive line and can be a permanent structure or a hastily constructed temporary fortification. The word means “a place of retreat”. Redoubts were a component of the military strategies of most European empires during the colonial era, especially in the outer works of Vauban-style fortresses made popular during the 17th century, although the concept of redoubts has existed since medieval times.