306 
MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS OF 
The difference in point of size between the arbalete a tour and the cannon 
is illustrated by the fact, that, while it took two men to work one of the 
former, one man sufficed to serve two of the latter. 
In this year (1347) in the accounts of the town of Lille we find, 
tc A un maistre qui vint ckigieler d’un tonnoile donnet en courtoisie viii s.” 
“ A maistres de la ville et plusieurs ouvriers qui burent a la bienvenne dou 
maistre qui gieta dou tonnoile parmi le salaire d’un vallet qui ra la guerre des 
quarriaux xi s. vi d.” 
The word here used “ tonnoile ” corresponds with the “ connoile ” made 
by Peter of Bruges the preceding year. The word seems to have descended 
from the “ tuyau de tonnoire ” spoken of in the accounts of this same town 
seven years earlier. In 1341 also, we found that a “ mestre de tonnoire ” was 
spoken of. Napoleon argues from the similitude of the latter expression 
with the term “ maquinas de truenos” which Conde states he borrowed 
from the Arabs, that the Plemings learnt their use of fire-arms directly from 
the Arabs, for, in a charter of Brussels written in the Blemish language, the 
gunner is called “ donderbusmeester."” 1 
That cannon were not universally employed in attack or defence at this 
period, or else that their effects were so comparatively slight as to be 
unworthy of mention beside the crushing blows of the great stones thrown 
from the engines acting by the force of counterweights, may be inferred from 
the account which Proissart gives of the siege of Aiguillon in 1346, where 
the English were besieged by the Duke of Normandy. He tells us how the 
Erench sent to Toulouse for great engines to throw stones; and how the 
English made martinets which threw such large stones that they broke down 
all the Erench scaffolds; but no cannon are named on either side. 2 
In 1348, we find in the accounts of the town of Lille, 
<c Pour un canon dont on giete garos acate iii escus val lvii s. Pour poure dont 
on asaia die chanon et pour ii garos et le faichon vi s. viii d.” 
Again, in 1349, 
“ Pour un canon dont on trait garos acate par eschevins iii escus et vi garos val 
iiii 1. xviii d.” 3 
These from their price must have been even smaller than the cannon 
bought in 1341, which weighed about 100 lbs. 
In 1349, in the artillery of the town of Agen, were cannon throwing 
small leaden balls. An original register, containing the deliberations of the 
consuls, &c. of the town, runs as follows :—■ 
<c Anno domini m°ccc°xl 0 nono, en Novembre fo balhada la artilharia de la 
vila a las personas dejus escritas., item, an Guillem de Taliva e an Guillem 
de Lestroa.e i. cano.Item xlvi liuras de plom per far plumbadas. 
Item, a M Guilhem de Cassanhas.ei cano.” 4 
These cannon were employed for the defence of the gates of the town in 
conjunction with cross-bows &c. 
1 Hence our word “blunderbuss.” 
2 Liv. I. part 1, cbs. 258, 259, &c. 
3 Etudes &c. vol. 3, p. 84. 
4 Original Register, fol. 91 and 92. Archives dc la Maine, published in Etudes, vol. 3, p. 84. 
