Abstract: Baozhai was a type of defensive fortress which was common in rural China. Large numbers of this military fortress were built around the villages of northern China during the Ming??Qing periods, which reflected the social change in these areas. This article is a case study of Baozhai in Yu County, Hebei Province and illustrates its construction, types, functions, administration and the symbolic meaning as well as its influence on the situation along the frontier in northern China and the change of the weisou system. Meanwhile, we can observe the strength of the rural gentry and the transformation of the villagers?? conception during the evolution of Baozhai.

摘要： 堡寨是中国乡村社会一种常见的防御性聚落形态,明清华北乡村修筑过大量的堡寨,它们浓缩了华北边地数百年间的历史变迁。本文以河北蔚县作为华北乡村堡寨的个案,通过对它的研究,细致展现伴随着明清边镇战和局势、卫所制度、地方社会的变迁,乡村堡寨的修建、类型、功能、组织管理以及象征意义发生了怎样的变化,与此同时,也可考察乡绅力量的介入以及乡民观念的转变。