Renaissance Weapons of War Advancements That Changed the World

Gunpowder China in early 9 th Century Finally into Europe on the Silk Road – Better 400 years late than never! Roger Bacon, – Earliest European account – William of Rubruck? – Chinese firecrackers? Mmmmmm … Bacon

Gunpowder Charcoal Sulfur Potassium Nitrate – Saltpetre …….

Gunpowder Secret Formula, heavily guarded by “Fire Workers” and “Pertremen” European Advancements: Italian – Pyrotechnics / Fireworks German – Scientific Advancements “Corning” – Moisten gunpowder, mash into cakes, break into grains – 30% to 300% more powerful – Transportable – Standardized

Siege Engine Trebuchet – Projectiles weighing up to 350 pounds Warwolf, 1304, Edward Longshanks, King of England – Largest known trebuchet – Five master carpenters and forty-nine laborers at least three months to build

The Cannon

The Battle of Crecy 26 August st major battle in Europe where gunpowder artillery was used King Edward III’s army of 3,000 men & knights + 10,000 archers vs 60,000 Frenchmen Cannons most likely had a more psychological effect

The Battle of Crecy 26 August 1346 “They made a sound like thunder and caused much loss in men and horses … they struck terror into the French army, it being the first time they had seen such thundering weapons”

Siege Cannon / Bombard Mons Meg, King of Scotland, 1449: – The 20-inch caliber – 400-pound stone balls Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol, 1544: – 24 ft in length – 4.75 inch caliber – 10 lb iron ball 6,000 feet

Cannon Improvements Better manufacturing resources and materials Breech Loading Gunpowder production and Standardization

Medieval Castles Really cool looking Not so good against the siege cannon and newer tactics King Charles VIII of France – 1494 Italian War – Brought cannons with him Realization that Italy was wealthy, but weak

Star Forts French Invasion of Italy / The Italian Wars Michelangelo, Governor of Fortifications, Siege of Florence (1529–30)

Hand Cannon Ca in Battle of Ain Jalut (Jerusalem) Through 1520 Not very accurate Very Scary to foes

Arquebus (early “musket”) Replaced “Hand Cannons” 15 th to 17 th Centuries Matchlock: – Dangerous – Poor in wet weather – Not very accurate

Arquebus Improvements Matchlock to “Wheel lock” (ca. 1500) – Similar to a zippo lighter – Difficult and expensive to manufacture The “Caliver” – Standardized bore and shot

From Arquebus to Musket Wheel lock to Flintlock (ca. 1610) – (likely) Marin le Bourgeoys, for the King of France, Louis XIII A trigger mechanism used to strike sparks in an iron pan filled with powder – more reliable, especially in the wet Le Bourgeoys

End of an Era, Forsooth! More powerful, more accurate guns Able to penetrate heavy plate armor as easily as the longbow Less training required Less strength required Cavalry chose mobility over heavy armor

The future of the Gun 33 Guns in one. Hmmmm …. More IS better!

How Battles were Fought Spanish Tercio ca – Ideally 3,000 soldiers (more like 1,500) – Pikemen, Swordsman & Arquebusiers Dutch Battallions ca – 550 men (much like Roman Legion) – 250 Pikemen, 300 Arquebusiers – Fast-moving and largely independent Swede Power: King Gustav Adolphus – Battle of Breitenfeld, 1631 – 24,000 (+18,000) vs 31,000

Renaissance Weapon Advancements Driven by Science, Art, Skilled Tradesmen, Money From 400 years late to leading the world Change in Power: – Weapons and Armor – Fortifications – Financing (how to pay for expensive manufacturing) – Tactics