barbette

gun turret of a warship, neck cover

To Saint Barbara (around 300).

Barbara was from Nicomedia, Asia Minor. Hoping that she would turn away from Christianity, her father had the girl locked up in a tower.

Because she did not repent, a governor cut off both her breasts. Afterwards, she was killed with a sword by her father. She was very popular in the Middle Ages and was especially venerated as the patron saint of prisoners, artillerymen and sailors.

Today she is best known as the patroness of miners. She is usually depicted with a tower with three windows or a gun. Barbette is Barbara's pet name. She is one of the fourteen emergency helpers and is invoked against thunderstorms and fire hazards.

Holiday December 4.