Originally, a back door or gate; a private entrance; hence, any small door or gate.
A subterraneous passage communicating between the parade and the main ditch, or between the ditches and the interior of the outworks.
Secondary gate or door. (Gies, Joseph and Francis. Life in a Medieval Castle, 226) Small gateway, secondary to the main entrance. (Kenyon, John R. Medieval Fortifications, 211) Related terms: Castle / Sally-Port
A passage leading from the interior of a fortification to the ditch.
Small gateway in a castle from which the besieged could sally forth.
a small gate in the rear of a fort or castle
sallyport]: tunnel providing access to a ditch ot outside fortified work; may be intended for sorties during a siege, as a means of escape or a shortcut during peace.
A secondary gate through the rampart wall for access to outworks. Also used as a drain, its primary function at Fort McHenry.
minor gate or door in a late Roman town- or fortwall
The back door of a castle.
A small gate at the side or back of a castle, usually in a concealed spot, such as a recess in the angle of a square tower. The postern, also called sally port, permitted small offensive sorties and allowed messengers to come and go inconspicuously.
Small entrance of a tower or wall used the main gate is out of use. Can be used as means of escape when castle in under siege
A private entrance at the side or rear of a building.
A small inconspicupis entry. In a castle, the postern gate leads down to the ditch or moat and would provide possible secret escape in time of trouble. The photo shows the postern gate of Peel Castle on the Isle of Man.
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.