Editing Medieval fortification (section)

===Harbors===
[[Image:Fn braun-varadinum.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Fortifications of Várad (now [[Oradea]]/Nagyvárad, [[Romania]]) in a 1617 print]]
[[Harbor|Harbors]] or some sort of water access were often essential to the construction of medieval fortifications. It was a direct route for trading and fortification. Having direct access to a body of water provided a route for resupply in times of war, an additional method of transportation in times of peace, and potential drinking water for a [[besiege]]d castle or fortification. The concept of rivers or harbors coming directly up to the walls of fortifications was especially used by the English as they constructed castles throughout [[Wales]].
There is evidence that harbors were fortified, with wooden structures in the water creating a semi-circle around the harbor, or jetties, as seen in an artist's reconstruction of Hedeby, in Denmark, with an opening for ships to access the land. Usually, these wooden structures would have small bases at either end, creating a 'watch' and defense platform.