Medieval Handgonnes
The First Black Powder Infantry Weapons
1st Edition
Published on 1. January 2011
80 pages
978-1-84908-656-1 (ISBN)
Description
In the early 14th century, a new weapon entered the arsenals of European armies.
This first generation of black powder weapons put fear into the heart of the enemy and in 1453 Ottoman cannon succeeded in pummelling the once-impregnable walls of Constantinople. But cannons, which are both slow and cumbersome, were difficult to use and often proved inaccurate.
The first handgonnes were the answer. Easily dismissed by later historians as nothing more than crude tubes that shot wildly inaccurate lead balls, more recent research has revealed the true accuracy of the medieval handgonne together with its penetrative power.
This volume, complete with detailed illustrations and colour photographs of reconstructed handgonnes, reveals the true history of what could easily have been the most revolutionary weapon in history: a must for medieval enthusiasts and re-enactors.
This first generation of black powder weapons put fear into the heart of the enemy and in 1453 Ottoman cannon succeeded in pummelling the once-impregnable walls of Constantinople. But cannons, which are both slow and cumbersome, were difficult to use and often proved inaccurate.
The first handgonnes were the answer. Easily dismissed by later historians as nothing more than crude tubes that shot wildly inaccurate lead balls, more recent research has revealed the true accuracy of the medieval handgonne together with its penetrative power.
This volume, complete with detailed illustrations and colour photographs of reconstructed handgonnes, reveals the true history of what could easily have been the most revolutionary weapon in history: a must for medieval enthusiasts and re-enactors.
More details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Illustrations
20 b/w; 33 col
ISBN-13
978-1-84908-656-1 (9781849086561)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
10/2010
Osprey Publishing
€22.00
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Persons
Sean McLachlan is a full-time writer and former archaeologist who has previously written American Civil War Guerrilla Tactics for Osprey Publishing. His interest in medieval handgonnes was first fuelled by a visit to the Medieval Centre in Denmark where groundbreaking research is currently being undertaken on the subject of medieval technologies.
Gerry Embleton has been a leading illustrator and researcher of historical costume since the 1970s, and has illustrated and written Osprey titles on a wide range of subjects for more than 20 years. This book was illustrated by Gerry and his son Sam Embleton.
Gerry Embleton has been a leading illustrator and researcher of historical costume since the 1970s, and has illustrated and written Osprey titles on a wide range of subjects for more than 20 years. This book was illustrated by Gerry and his son Sam Embleton.
Content
Introduction
Development
Use
Impact
Conclusion
Development
Use
Impact
Conclusion
