BULSTRODE

bulstrode, sir richard (1610-1711), english author and soldier, was a son of edward bulstrode (1588-1659), and was educated at pembroke college, cambridge; after studying law in london he joined the army of charles i. on the outbreak of the civil war in 1642. in 1673 he became a resident agent of charles ii. at brussels; in 1675 he was knighted; then following james ii. into exile he died at st germain on the 3rd of october 1711. bulstrode is chiefly known by his _memoirs and reflections upon the reign and government of king charles i. and king charles ii._, published after his death in 1721. he also [v.04 p.0796] wrote _life of james ii._, and _original letters written to the earl of arlington_ (1712). the latter consists principally of letters written from brussels giving an account of the important events which took place in the netherlands during 1674. his second son, whitelocke bulstrode (1650-1724), remained in england after the flight of james ii.; he held some official positions, and in 1717 wrote a pamphlet in support of george i. and the hanoverian succession. he published _a discourse of natural philosophy_, and was a prominent protestant controversialist. he died in london on the 27th of november 1724. bulwark (a word probably of scandinavian origin, from _bol_ or _bole_, a tree-trunk, and _werk_, work, in ger. _bollwerk_, which has also been derived from an old german _bolen_, to throw, and so a machine for throwing missiles), a barricade of beams, earth, &c., a work in 15th and 16th century fortifications designed to mount artillery (see boulevard). on board ship the term is used of the woodwork running round the ship above the level of the deck. figuratively it means anything serving as a defence.