THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
IS 
throwing stones, of stone shot weighing 12 J lb. each, and of small stone shot 
weighing 7 lb. each. 1 2 
In these accounts first occurs in the French language the word 
“ bombarde,” which is repeated several times during these years 1381-82. 
In 1381, a bombarde cost 2Q£. 12<s. 6^. Two hundred and sixteen “pieres 
de bombarde moitie grandes et F autre petites” cost “xiH. pour le cent 
Fune pour Fautre.” 
A long and very interesting extract from these archives is given in the 
Etudes, Yol. III. pp. 103-106 : but few new facts are to be gathered 
from it. We learn, however, that the hammers so constantly supplied 
were used to drive in the projectiles : 
“ A lui pour i martiel a cachier 3 plommes de canon mis a le porte du moliniel, 
VIII. s” 
The small cannon so much in use at this period are called by Froissart, 
in speaking of the passage of the Lys in 1382, “ bombardes portatives.” 
He says, 
“ Adonc vinrent arbaletriers et gens de pied avant; et si en y avoit aucuns qui 
jetoient de bombardes portatives, et qui traioient grands quarriaulx empennes de 
fer, et les faisoient voler outre le pont jusques a la ville de Comines.” 3 
On this occasion arrows appear to have been thrown by the cannon; and 
occasionally the French discharged fiery projectiles from them. Thus we read 
that when the French were before Bourbourch, the soldiers were anxious to 
take it by force in order to obtain the plunder, which would not be theirs, 
should the town quietly surrender; so they skirmished, and 
“ Les choses monteplierent et s’enfelonnerent tellement que les Francois trairent 
le feu en la ville par viretons, par canons, et par sougines, et tant que maisons 
furent eprises et enflambees, &c.” 4 
Instances of this employment of cannon will however more frequently 
appear in speaking of the English method of warfare. 
The work already quoted 5 on p.12 produces another account relating to the 
Duke of Burgundy^s artillery, in which it is mentioned that in 1394, the 
corporation of Dijon lent him two copper cannon, and a large cannon, with 
twelve round stones, for his use at Montmorot. The duke seems also to 
have had regular officers in his pay called “maitres des canons” and 
“ canonniers; ” but their wages were considerably less than those of his 
valet. 
It would be tedious to bring forward further instances all tending to the 
same conclusion, that in France until about the year 1375, the only cannon 
in use were small, and the only projectiles employed lead and arrows; that 
1 Etudes, Vol. III. p. 103. 
2 The word “cace ” or “cache” has already occurred in the sense of a rammer. It appears 
that the rammer, “ cace ” or “ poussoir,” must have been placed against the shot, and struck with 
the hammer. 
8 Froissart, Yol. II. ch. 181, p. 235. 
4 Ibid. ch. 215, p. 287. 
5 Memoires pour servir a l’histoire de France, &c. 
