Donjon
the grand central tower of a Norman or mediæval castle, frequently raised on an artificial elevation. It was the strongest portion of the building, a high square tower with walls of enormous thickness, usually detached from the surrounding buildings by an open space walled, called the Inner Bailey, and another beyond called the Outer Baile /.
Here, in case of the outward defenses being gained, the garrison retreated to make their last stand. The donjon contained the great hall, and principal rooms of state for solemn occasions, and also the prison fortress; from which last circumstance we derive the modern and restricted use of the word dungeon, Examples are seen in the White Tower, in the Tower of London, n, Rochester Castle, and in the Castle at Newcastle. It was also called the donjon-keep.
DON JUAN (whän) the hero of a Spanish legend which seems to have had some historical basis in the history of a member of the noble family of Tenorio at Seville. The legend has furnished the subject for many dramas and operas.
The most famous of the latter is Mozart's "Don Giovanni." Among the former are "Don Juan ou Le Festin de Pierre," by Molière and "The Libertine," by Shadwell. The "Don Juan" of Byron bears no relation to the old story.