Gunpowder Artillery 1600 1700

In this follow-up to his successful 'Early Gunpowder Artillery', John Norris looks at artillery across the world in the early-modern period. Including weapons used during the English Civil War, the Austro-Turkish war and the Thirty Year's War, among many other conflicts, this book describes the development of heavy, light and field artillery in this exciting period of history.

In the 300-year time span covered by this book, gunpowder artillery was developed from a novelty to a serious weapon of war. By 1600 the cannon was to be found in large numbers on the battlefield, on board ship and on defensive positions on buildings and city walls. Illustrated with contemporary and modern photographs of surviving and recreated weapons, Early Gunpowder Artillery 1300-1600 sheds light on these earliest ancestors of the modern cannon and field gun. Looking not only at the weapons themselves, but also at the men who made and used them, and the tactics with which they were deployed, this is the ideal introduction for anyone interested in medieval warfare.

Describes the history of gunpowder, how it developed new weapons, and increased the number of casualties of war.

A short illustrated history of cannon, emphasizing types used in America.

First comprehensive study of English artillery in the late Middle Ages, bringing out its full impact on areas beyond the military. One of the most important technological developments of the Middle Ages was the adoption of gunpowder weapons in medieval Europe. From the fourteenth century onwards, this new technology was to eventually transform the conduct ofwarfare beyond all recognition with important implications for European and global history. Guns came to be used in all aspects of military operations, with kings, nobles and burgesses all spending large sums of money on these prestigious weapons. The growing effectiveness of gunpowder artillery prompted major changes in the design of fortifications, the composition of armies, the management of logistics and administrative systems. This book is the first full-length study of the unique English experience of gunpowder weapons, tracing their development from their introduction in the reign of Edward III to the end of the fifteenth century. The rich records of the English Exchequer and urban accounts are used to explore their role in campaigns, in sieges, on the battlefield, at sea and their role in the defence of towns, royal castles and the fortifications of the Pale of Calais. It provides a comprehensive framework for the speed of technological advances and the factors responsible for these changes, as well as an in-depth discussion of individual gun types. DAN SPENCER obtained his PhD from the University of Southampton.

Gunpowder first emerged from the ancient Chinese alchemical experiments to usurp the sword, spear and arrow in war. A must-read for history fans and military buffs alike, "Gunpowder" brings together a rich terrain of cultures and technological innovations with authoritative research and swashbuckling style.

Gunpowder has been considered as one of the most important discoveries made by man after the wheel. Interestingly, the origin of gunpowder is still shrouded in uncertainty. Nobody can definitely say who actually invented gunpowder and when. Common belief has it that gunpowder was invented in China and then came to India via the Silk Route. Studies done by the author show that gunpowder was actually invented in India went to China via the trade routes, from where it was showcased to World. With gunpowder, came the development of weapons, which changed the course of wars and changed the very course of history. An analysis of various weapons, their development and chronology has been systematically discussed. It covers the time period from 1000 AD to 1850 AD. The end period, 1850 AD, has been chosen as the cutoff date since percussion weapons came into vogue after that period and are well-documented in history. The start date, 1000 AD, is chosen on purpose to give a small margin to encompass any aberrations in discovery of gunpowder. The author sincerely hoped that this work would form a platform from which other studies/ research could be conducted by future arms historians.