THIS POST IS ONLY REALLY LONG BECAUSE OF THE PICTURES!!!
Reading Henry V sparked my interest in a number of ways. The first way was that I became curious about weaponry in the Renaissance era. The very dramatic flailing of the sword is the stereotypically imagined weapon of warfare but I figured there had to be more. So deciding that it would be a good post relating to my topic I did some research. A quick visit to wiki for ideas revealed a list and further research provided definitions. Below are my findings:
- v Basilisk Cannon: This cannon was bronze and very heavy, up to 4,000 lbs. It was 10 feet long and a five inch caliber (the width of the cannon ball). The name stems from the mythological poisonous fire-breathing snake, the Basilisk (Harry Potter). The cannon balls for these cannons could weigh up to 110 lbs. (Wikipedia and World Lingo).
- v Crossbow and Long Bow: There were fifteen plus variations of the crossbow at this time. The projectiles were called bolts (see picture below). The crossbow was better for war because, unlike a simple bow that depends on how strong the user is, the crossbow was mechanical and the pulling of a trigger was what released the bolt. The strength of the mechanical device enabled the bolts to pierce several layers of armor. The strongest crossbows had a range of about 125 yards. There were crossbows that could shoot multiple boots at once. The long bow is just like a regular bow except it is as tall as a person and is narrower. (Wikipedia and Crossbows).
These were the least deadly looking bolts some of them were brutal looking
- v Culverin: Resembles a musket. There were two types of this weapon. The hand culverin and the field culverin. The hand culverin was a hallow cylinder sealed at one end except for a small hole, it kind of reminds me of a roman candle only more deadly (yes I do know from experience that f it by a roman candle a person will not die). It was like a small hand held cannon, loaded from the front with gun powder and then lead bullets. Then a slow burning fuse was inserted into the small hole and BOOM! The field culverins were the same idea just on a larger scale. The larger ones look like our general understanding of a cannon. (Wikipedia).
- Matchlock: This was basically a rifle. The exception being that when the trigger was pulled it was like lighting a match. There was a fuse inside and trailing out of the weapon and when the lever was pulled back and released it created a spark that caused an explosion inside and propelled the bullet. (The Renaissance at War, by: Thomas Arnold. Accessed via Google books).
- Pike: Like a spear but it is not thrown it is thrust at the enemy. The were used by the infantry in defense against calvary. The pike could be anywhere from 3-7.5 meter in length. It allowed the wielders to kill without getting too close to their enemy. The infantry with pikes were in the front and layered themselves two deep holding the staffs at different angles. (Wikipedia).
- Pistol Sword: No this weapon does not firing swords. This is exactly what it sounds like it is a pistol and a sword in one. Unlike a bayonet the sword and gun cannot be separated. Also the main weapon in this case is the sword the pistol is the backup. (Wikipedia).
- Rapier: The distinction between a rapier and a sword was that a rapier was longer and thinner. However, despite sounding like a more agile weapon they were not. They were a civilian weapon. It was great for offense but poor for defense. In Hamlet Branaugh uses a rapier but in Henry the fifth he used a sword. (Sword Forum International).
- Ribauldequin: This was a medieval volley gun. This pictures are pretty self explanatory but here is some more info. Most of them had twelve barrels and they fired simultaneously. They are also called organ guns. It is sometimes called the first machine gun. (Encyclo). I want one of these someday! Shot guns have the same effect but this one looks cooler!
There were also the stiletto (a dagger) and a wall gun (a rifle). But they were very similar to today so I am simple informing you all that they had them. Hope this was interesting and if anyone knows of something I missed I would love to hear about it!
