A low outer wall or rampart built in front of the main wall of a fortress, designed to slow attackers and protect the main fortification.
From French fausse (false) and braie (braces/skirt), literally 'false skirt.' This French fortification term describes an outer defensive wall that acts as an extra protective layer.
Medieval castle designers were basically playing 3D chess—the faussebraie looked like a weak outer wall but forced attackers into a narrow space where defenders could rain arrows and rocks on them from above!
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