THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
807 
The same cannon arrows, however, were still employed in 1350; for under 
date of that year we read in the accounts of the town of Lille : 1 
“ A Jacquart le Eevre, pour XL clous pour fierer les quariaux des canons as de 
bons, pour n caces de tier pour chacier les quariaux ens.&c.” 
This “ cace ” was probably a description of rammer rendered necessary by 
the close fit of the leather on the arrow against the sides of the bore. 
We have now traced these cannon from their first authentic and con¬ 
temporary mention, to the end of the first half of the 14th century; and we 
have found them throughout but feeble weapons in comparison with the 
great warlike engines of the period, which still were employed for the 
more serious operations; the largest cannon of which we have read being 
not more than 120 lbs. weight. 
We have found them constructed of brass, and of iron, breech-loading, 
the charge being placed in a chamber which was kept in its place by a 
wedge. 
The projectiles were in some cases leaden, iron, and stone shot • in some 
cases arrows with an iron or leaden point, with leather bound to the shaft to 
keep them firmly in the tube, and winged with brass-—but no one of these 
projectiles appears to have exceeded 2 lbs. in weight, and the greater number 
were far smaller. The powder was made when required for use, the salt¬ 
petre and sulphur being kept in store, and the charcoal made when wanted; 
the three ingredients being then mixed together by hand. This powder was 
of course very weak in its action, giving but low velocity to the projectile ; 
and this fact, joined to the small size of the cannon, caused the latter to be 
considered of less value, for anything but close quarters, than the “ arbaletes 
a tour.” 
Such cannon, however useful in a defence, where we generally find them 
employed, had little or no effect against the walls of cities or castles; they 
were quite incapable of making, or even assisting to make, a breach; and the 
engines already spoken of were the great weapons of assault, and also for 
destroying the towers, chats, and other means by which the besiegers 
endeavoured to gain an entrance into the besieged place. 
Whether cannon were ever used in the field at this early stage is a question 
which it is difficult to solve. It rests almost entirely on this problem of the 
battle of Cre<?y. Napoleon has answered the question in the affirmative, but 
on grounds which do not appear sufficient to justify his conclusions. 
It is however a matter of little moment, except to the antiquary; for the 
diminutive size of the cannon, the want of velocity of the projectiles, and the 
length of time elapsing between the discharges, must have made the cannon 
of little value; and we cannot for an instant doubt that these disadvantages 
would have more than counterbalanced any advantages they might haVe 
possessed over the longbow. 
We have found them under the names of "cannon,” the word being 
variously modified —“ bombardes,” "lignea instrumenta,” "pots de fer,” 
" tuyaux de tonnoire,” changed before long into " tonnoilles ” and 
“ connoilles,” and lastly our English word "guns,” which we retain in 
common use to the present time. 
1 Etudes &c., vol. 3, p. 87. 
