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Postern
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<p>A postern is a secondary <a href="/facts/Door/ts2uMoVm">door</a> or <a href="/facts/Gate/1pmqQj8G">gate</a> in a <a href="/facts/Fortification/pyH0FXhH">fortification</a> such as a <a href="/facts/City_wall/AQYGI8Mh">city wall</a> or <a href="/facts/Castle/1mKnEHKJ">castle</a> <a href="/facts/Curtain_wall_(fortification)/G10dPUkE">curtain wall</a>. Posterns were often placed in concealed locations, allowing inconspicuous entrance and exit. In the event of a <a href="/facts/Siege/7RAugQoD">siege</a>, a postern could act as a <a href="/facts/Sally_port/xQ9P6Nl8">sally port</a>, allowing defenders to make a <a href="/facts/Sortie/9SLn0Ksw">sortie</a> on the besiegers. Placed in a less exposed, less visible location, they were usually relatively small, and therefore easily defensible. </p>