20 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
Tor manufacture of shot, twelve iron ladles in which to melt the lead, ten 
brass moulds for the bullets, and ten pairs of iron pincers for removing 
the shot from the moulds. Brushwood for the fire, and bellows. 
For storage and porterage of shot, thirty small barrels with “ garnett,” 
hasps, staples, and hanging locks. 
For the service of the guns,—For loading, twenty-eight iron drivels} six 
iron hammers. For firing, 13 iron pans to hold lighted charcoal, bellows to 
blow it, and twenty-eight firing irons, to be heated in the charcoal pans, and 
then used to fire the powder. 
The size of the guns is not determined by these accounts. There are 
sufficient materials to make about 2600 lb. of powder, or about 65 lb. for 
each gun. Where the guns were made, or how, we have no information; 
twenty-nine were of wrought-iron, twelve of brass. The powder was pounded 
in a mortar, and the proportions were exactly three parts of saltpetre (320 lb.) 
to one of sulphur (107 lb.) : the quantity of charcoal is not named. The 
leaden bullets were cast in brass moulds. 1 2 
John de Sleford, though he had so careful an assistant in John Derbiq 
does not appear to have handed over into his charge all the guns and their 
stores at the Tower; for his own accounts for the same period have many 
interesting items connected with gunnery, and he acknowledges at the end of 
his accounts the receipt of the gunpowder and materials which John Derby 
names in his delivery-voucher. These accounts are given by Sir Harris 
Nicolas, 3 and neither he nor Mr Hunter seem to have been aware how the 
researches of each corroborated those of the other. They are as follows :— 
Particulars of the account of John de Sleaford, clerk of the privy 
wardrobe, of armour, shot, gunpowder, &c., 46-48, Edw. III., 1372-1374. 
Boll T. G. 674. 
Payments for “helvyng” of eight guns and ten hatchets “ad lnodum pycoys, 55 
by agreement made in gross with a certain “ joignour,” 13$.; and &c. &c. 
% % * 
And for wages of several workmen each at Qd. per diem, for various terms, in 
the making of powder and “pelottes” of lead for “gunnes” at the Tower of 
London, 33$.; and for one quarter of coal, price 10$.; and for talwood, bought 
for Casting ( fundendo ) the lead and drying the powder, 5$. 2d. ; and for willow 
fagots to make powder, price of the hundred 4$. 
And for four “ trays ’* of wood, price 3 d .; and for brazen pots and dishes, price 
in the whole 13^., bought for the drying of the same powder over the fire and by 
the sun, 2$. \d. ; and for leather bags to hold the same powder, 10$. 7c?.; and 
1 This word seems to correspond with the word “ drift ” which we now use in the service of 
artillery. They both appear to be derived from the verb to “ drive,” and to signify the piece of 
wood or iron placed between the mallet and the objebt which it is intended to drive in. The leaden 
shot seems to have been placed in the bore, and the drift or drivel held against it, and struck with 
the hammer. See the similar use of the cace or poussoir , foot note, p. 13, ante. 
2 The same Helmyng Leget who Was keeper bf the king’s barges in 1338, again appears in these 
accounts. See Vol. IY. p. 291. 
3 History of the Royal Navy, Yol. II. Appendix, p. 479; 
