THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
9 
hide, sewn round to keep out the rain, lest the iron should rust, or the cords 
decay; “ affin que il ne pleust dessus, que le fer ne rouillast ne que les cordes 
ne pourrissent.” The vent, “ pertus par ou Pen mettait le feu ou dit canon,” 
was covered with a large iron apron [grantplataine de.fer ) fastened with a 
bolt, in order that the rain might not enter the vent when the cannon was 
loaded, “ affin que il ne pleust en icellui quant il seroit chargie.” 
The bed of this cannon comprised a large piece of elm to encase the body 
of the cannon;—another portion for the side-pieces [jumelles de son siege): —a 
large piece of elm for the front side-pieces [jumelles de devant ) for lowering 
and raising the cannon when required :—three pieces of wood for th z patrons, 
&c.:—a piece of oak for the rear side-pieces [jumelles de deniere): —two 
great pieces of wood for the two lower beams [deux solles de desouz) to carry 
the cannon:—wood to make the long bands [Ions lyans ) &c. :—four pieces 
of wood for the chappeaux and petits lyans , &c. Forms of beds for cannon 
exactly corresponding to this description are to be found in the 15th century 
MSS.; and the present instance will be again referred to when those designs 
are reproduced. 
After the cannon had been “ lie des sercles et mis en bois,” it was found 
necessary to purchase four pulleys to direct it ( gouverner ), as it was impossible 
to control it by any other means. It was proved before being sent to the 
siege. Four stones were ordered for the proof, but as two of them accom¬ 
panied the cannon to the siege, evidently only two proof rounds were fired. 
Each stone cost 2$. 6d. 
When the cannon was quite ready [tout prest de jeter ), it was removed 
with two stone shot, all its siege bed, its bands of iron, and pins and wedges 
of iron and wood, to the place (Saint Sauveur le Yicomte) where it was 
destined to play its part. It was dismounted for transport, and remounted 
for the siege, as we learn from an item for baskets to carry the iron and 
wooden bolts, &c., “ que estoient necessaires pour le siege dhcellui.” 1 2 
On the 5th May, the receiver of Caen himself started to accompany this 
cannon, made at so much cost, to its destination of St Sauveur le Yicomte, 
and completed his return journey on the 10th May. He had scarcely 
been home a fortnight, when orders were received from the king, dated 25th 
May, to make certain other cannon for the same siege. In the archives of 
the empire 3 are also preserved the accounts of their manufacture, which was 
superintended byfour master smiths, who commenced their labours on the 28th 
May, and ended them on the 15th June. In making three cannon, they 
used 1449 lb. of iron, and 25 lb. of steel, thus allowing a weight of less than 
500 lb. to each of them, though in one part of the account they are designated 
great cannon. 
At the same time twenty-four cannon were cast , which in one place are 
called “ canons de cuivre,” though the metal purchased for their material 
is styled “ mitraille.” This “mitraille” probably consisted of small 
fragments of brass or bronze; 4211b. only were employed for 24 cannon, 
so that their average weight was but 171b. or 181b. This was of course 
1 The whole of this account presents features of extreme interest to the student of the archaeology 
of cannon, and is well worth a careful perusal. 
2 Archives de l’Empire. Reg. KK. 350, F°. 273. 
[VOL. V.] 
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