Ironage defence,chevaux de frise,Dun Aengus fort, Aranmore,inishmore,Aran isles,Co Galway,western Ireland,Eire.

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The fort consists of three irregular semicircles, each a line of defense. Aside from the walls, one mode of defense is a band of stones set in the ground. Called a chevaux-de-frise, the stones are closely packed, set at an angle and intended to thwart an attack up the slope. Fortunately for the peaceful visitor to Dun Aengus, an intact chevaux-de-frise does not surround the fort, but the debris of such a defensive use of stone makes the walking trip to the fort slow and cheval de frise (plural: chevaux de frise) was a Medieval defensive obstacle consisting of a portable frame (sometimes just a simple log) covered with many long iron or wooden spikes or even actual spears. They were principally intended as an anti-cavalry obstacle but could also be moved quickly to help block a breach in another barrier. They remained in occasional use until they were replaced by wire obstacles just after the American Civil War. During the Civil War, it was most often used by the Confederates. However, during World War I, chevaux de frise were used to temporarily plug gaps in barbed wire.

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Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: chevaux de frise,Dun Aengus fort, Aranmore,inishmore,Aran isles,Co Galway,western Ireland,Eire.
Photo credit: © Neil Dangerfield / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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