Medieval Cannons
The medieval period marked the birth of cannon technology in Europe. Early cannons, known as bombards, were massive, unwieldy weapons made of iron or bronze. These primitive artillery pieces first appeared in the 14th century and revolutionized siege warfare, making previously impregnable castle walls vulnerable to sustained bombardment.
Medieval cannons were typically loaded from the muzzle and fired stone or iron balls. They required significant manpower to operate and were often more dangerous to their operators than to their targets due to frequent explosions. Despite their limitations, these early cannons demonstrated the devastating potential of gunpowder weapons and set the foundation for future artillery development.
14th Century Bombard