Bombard (weapon)

Lore & Background

The term bombard was first used to describe guns of any kind from the early to mid-14th century, but later applied primarily to large cannons during the 14th to 15th centuries. Despite its strong association with large cannons, there is no standard size for bombards, and the term has been applied to cannons only a meter in length as well as cannons several meters long weighing up to 20 tons. The oldest known representation of a bombard is a sculpture in the Dazu Rock Carvings in China, dated to the early 12th century, depicting a demon firing a hand-held bombard. Early bombards also include two Chinese c. 1377 cast-iron mortars weighing over 150 kg each, with four trunnions on their barrels.

England began using cannons in the early 14th century. Field artillery was deployed by King Edward III at the Battle of Crécy in 1346. Inverted 'keyhole' gun loops at Bodiam Castle, Cooling Castle, and the Westgate, Canterbury, have been identified as for firing heavy handguns, dated 1380–1385. Initially used as defensive weapons, primitive bombards began to be used as siege weapons in the later 14th century. Henry IV and Henry V won battles with bombards; Henry V captured Harfleur with bombards in 1415. James II of Scotland destroyed many castles with his one-and-a-half-ton cannon named 'The Lion'. The French conquest of English holdings in France saw considerable French artillery in the siege role. The last battle of the Hundred Years' War, at Castillion in 1453, saw English commander John Talbot lead an Anglo-Gascon army against dug-in French troops equipped with 300 pieces of artillery; the Anglo-Gascons were shot to pieces.

Most bombards started with construction of a wooden core surrounded by iron bars, then iron hoops driven over these bars. The whole structure was welded with a hammer while hot at about 2,500 °F (1,370 °C). The rings cooled and formed over the bars to secure them. The last step was to incinerate the wooden core and attach a one-piece cast. The complicated procedure required a highly skilled forge who could work quickly and precisely with a hammer.

Reader's Guide

The bombard represents a pivotal early stage in the development of artillery, bridging the gap between simple handguns and the more standardized cannons of later centuries. Its primary significance lies in its role as a siege weapon, capable of breaching castle walls that had previously been nearly impregnable. The use of bombards by monarchs such as Henry V and James II of Scotland demonstrated their effectiveness in warfare, contributing to the decline of traditional fortifications and the rise of new military tactics. The French use of massed artillery at the Battle of Castillion in 1453 marked a turning point, showing that well-positioned guns could defeat even experienced troops. The construction method—iron bars and hoops welded hot—was labor-intensive and required great skill, reflecting the high value placed on these weapons. Notable examples like Mons Meg and the Dardanelles Gun illustrate the extreme sizes bombards could reach, though their practical use was often limited by weight and mobility. The term 'bombard' itself has left a lasting linguistic legacy, giving rise to the rank of bombardier and the word bombardment. Eventually, bombards were superseded by weapons using smaller calibre iron projectiles fired from longer barrels with more powerful gunpowder, but their impact on medieval warfare and fortification design was profound.

Did You Know?

• The oldest known representation of a bombard is a sculpture in the Dazu Rock Carvings in China, dated to the early 12th century.
• Mons Meg, built around 1449, was capable of firing 180 kg (400 lb) shots and is now on public display at Edinburgh Castle.
• The Dardanelles Gun, built in 1464, weighed 18.6 tons and could fire stone balls up to 63 cm in diameter.
• The Tsar Cannon, built in 1586, is the largest bombard ever built and is located on the grounds of the Moscow Kremlin.