mantelet

English translation: shield (shielded windows)

09:24 Sep 7, 2010

French to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - Architecture / Historical architecture

French term or phrase: mantelet

In a text about fortified churches in the Meuse. Context: "Dans la vallée de l'Ornain, l'église de l'Immaculée Conception, construite en grande partie en pierre de taille, possède des fenêtres à mantelets et une bretèche. " Mantelet usually means mantlet, a moveable shield, but looking at pictures of this church, there's no sign of anything like that. What does "mantelet" mean here, please? Thanks in advance for any help!

Nicky Over KudoZ activity Questions: 375 (1 open) (32 closed without grading) Answers: 58 United Kingdom
Local time: 07:58

English translation:shield (shielded windows)

Explanation:

Définition :
Écran circulaire, muni d'une fenêtre, placé devant deux filaments dont l'un est situé dans l'axe de la fenêtre, et permettant d'obtenir deux intensités de lumière dans un projecteur monobloc.

Selected response from:

Carla Catolino
Italy
Local time: 08:58

Grading comment

Thanks very much for your help
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +2

(embrasure) shutter

Catharine Cellier-Smart

mantle(d)

kashew

mantlet/mantelet

B D Finch

shield (shielded windows)

Carla Catolino

Summary of reference entries provided

shutters

Bourth (X)

Discussion entries: 2

Answers

7 mins confidence:

mantelet (here)

shield (shielded windows)

Carla Catolino
Italy
Local time: 08:58
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Thanks very much for your help

12 mins confidence:

mantelet (here) mantle(d)

Explanation:
*Volet pivotant sur un axe horizontal protégeant une embrasure de tir. (C'est aussi un bouclier en bois ou de vannerie protégeant les assiégeants.)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 18 minutes (2010-09-07 09:43:18 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

mantled openings (windows?).

kashew
France
Local time: 08:58
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 99

22 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

mantelet (here) (embrasure) shutter

Explanation:
Dictionary translation.

usually used in a military context, but since this is about fortified churches, it might be suitable.

"Embrasure Shutter: These heavy wooden shutters can be added to a battlement to increases the cover value to 75% against all attacks."
http://www.coryj.net/CoreRule/corerule.php?page=CT/DD02784.h...

Catharine Cellier-Smart
Reunion
Local time: 10:58
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16

1 hr confidence:

mantelet (here) mantlet/mantelet

Explanation:
The French word is used in English (presumably thanks to the Normans).

"Mantlet mobile wooden protective shield on wheels"
http://www.castlexplorer.co.uk/glossary.php#m

" Mantlet - A portable shelter or shield for the purpose of protection from ... Rampart - Any type of wall surrounding the castle for defense. ..."
www.squidoo.com/medievalterms

The references below will take you to some pictures.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2010-09-07 10:29:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://www.history.navy.mil/pics/wny1894pg17.jpg

Also see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantlet

and Le Grand Robert:
" 1 (xive). Anciennt. Art milit. Abri* léger, sorte de parapet portatif et roulant utilisé pour l'attaque ou la défense des places fortes."

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2010-09-07 10:36:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

If the mantlet were of the sort shown in http://www.history.navy.mil/pics/wny1894pg17.jpg, then it is possible that the only remaining evidence would be the holes in the battlement or embrasure walls for the ends of the axle.

Reference: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mantelet.defensif.3.p...

B D Finch
France
Local time: 08:58
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 163

Reference comments

4 hrs peer agreement (net): +1

Reference: shutters

Reference information:
Wooden SHUTTERS across the crenels gave more protection against chance projectiles. The archer needed simply to push the shutter forward when ready to fire, opening the gap, and firing through it. As these shutters were likely to have been heavy and pivoted from the top, and considering the energy required to prime a bow of the time (especially if wearing armour/chain mail), this probably was probably very tiring!
godfrey.ws/castle/castles/parts/parts2.htm

SHUTTER: movable device for closing the crenel or other opening.
http://www.castles-of-britain.com/castle38.htm

In the battlements of the Middle Ages the crenel comprised onethird of the width of the merlon: the latter, in addition, could be provided with arrow-loops of various shapes (from simply round to cruciform), depending from the weapon to fire. Late merlons permitted fire from the first firearms. From the 13th century the merlons, moreover, could be connected with WOODEN SHUTTERS that provided added protection when closed. The shutters were designed to be opened to allow fire backwards against the attackers, and closed during reloading
http://techxellenttraining.com.au/Medieval Siege Engines.pdf

I've seen some of these in a castle somewhere relatively recently. Though massive, they are not that difficult to operate, being hinged horizontally close to the middle so they are well balanced but sufficiently bottom-heavy to close under their own weight.

If your document has a glossary, it might be possible to use a more "technical" word, otherwise something immediately understandable could be better. Remember, the French will read it as French and realize it is simply word they do not know (if they don't) whereas foreign tourists will see it as a translation and feel the translator has let them down by not translating a French word ...

There are some ghits for things like "loophole shutter" too

Bourth (X)
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 539

Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations

mantelet

English translation: shield (shielded windows)

Answers

Reference comments

KudoZ™ translation help

Your current localization setting

Select a language

mantelet

English translation: shield (shielded windows)

Answers

Reference comments

KudoZ™ translation help

You have native languages that can be verified

Your current localization setting

Select a language