Brief Description:  Medieval cannons were large, smoothbore artillery pieces that utilized gunpowder to launch stone or iron projectiles. Ranging from early, highly volatile wrought-iron hoops to massive, cast-bronze bombards, they revolutionized warfare by rendering traditional stone castles obsolete and forever changing the face of siege warfare. The design, history, and mechanics of these weapons highlight their evolution and impact.

Mechanics and Firing:

Loading: Crew members (often requiring a team of 10 or more) poured loose gunpowder into the open muzzle, followed by wadding to secure the powder, and finally the cannonball.

Ignition: Firing was done manually by inserting a red-hot iron rod or slow-burning match into the touch hole (a small vent at the rear of the barrel), which ignited the powder and expelled the ball at high velocity.

Construction: Medieval artisans originally forged barrels by welding longitudinal iron bars together and securing them with rings or hoops. However, these wrought-iron constructs were prone to catastrophic bursting. By the 15th century, superior cast-bronze became the standard, as the copper alloy was more resilient to the explosive shock of the black powder.