Cannon Pre 1800s





The "flying-cloud thunderclap eruptor" invented in China

  



Invention of the Cannon

Alchemists of the Tang Dynasty in China invented one of the simplest, most destructive weapons ever used in history: gunpowder. It isn't known exactly when the first cannon was invented, but the Song Dynasty (960-1279) seems to have created the ancestor for a projectile cannon that employs the use of gunpowder. The invention was called in the Chinese language "flying-cloud thunderclap eruptor". Today, it is known as the fire-spurting lance. The barrel was made of bamboo that could store the gunpowder. The ammunition consisted of gunpowder bombs that would explode upon impact and were a great success in battle, inspiring other empires to employ the use of this technology.

A hand cannon from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) made in 1288 with a muzzle diameter of an inch.

In the beginning of the Middle Ages in Europe, the cannon became standardized and was commonly used in battles. It was not until later that accurate, in-depth descriptions of cannons were provided. There were many instances in which it is said that a cannon was used in a battle, but the designs, manufacturers, and ammunition were never described. In early history, the cannon was never drawn in blueprints to be analyzed and therefore understood by historians. The most accurate designs come from cannons that have been found and can be restored in order to fully understand the design.

1346: Battle of Cressy

This battle occurred in the early stages of the Hundred Years War and is said to have been when the first actual gunpowder cannon was used in battle.

Design: Vey basic, wooden stands to hold the cannon in place. Iron casting to hold the cannon together. Soldiers would light the gunpowder to project the stones.

Ammunition: Spherical stones used to batter the opponent. Also called "round shot."

Manufacturer: Edward III of England introduced these big guns to the battle at Cressy

 Despite the use of the cannon in the Battle of Cressy (also called the Battle of Crécy), it is extremely difficult to track the cannon's past and find it's first use in battle. Ahmad Y. al-Hassan, an Arab historian, claimed that the Mamluks (Egypt) used the first cannon against the Mongols in 1260 at the Battle of Ain Jalut. The claimed use of cannons in this battle is not considered a solid fact, and no designs or remains have been discovered. At the same time, it is also not proven that the first real cannons were used at the Battle of Cressy.