History of Leith, Edinburgh

Mons Meg is a large bombard now located at Edinburgh Castle, Scotland. There are conflicting theories about its origins, but it appears from Philip III, the Duke of Burgundy’s accounts that it was made to his order around 1449 and sent as a gift 8 years later to James II of Scotland, with other artillery supplies. for more click here

Stewart Monarchs of Scotland – a most unsuccessful dynasty? for more click here

English cannon (or British cannon) were first used by the English during the Hundred Years War, when primitive cannon were used at the Battle of Crécy. Under the Tudors, the first forts featuring cannon batteries were built, while cannon were first used by the Tudor navy (where a cannon is referred to as a gun). With the Age of Discovery, and the establishment of the Thirteen Colonies, cannon saw use in British armies in North America, first against the rival colony of New France, and later during the American Revolutionary War.

From the 18th century to the present day, the Royal Regiment of Artillery has been the Arm of the British Army that uses cannon. for more click here

Arming Sword – after the 14th century, with the appearance of the longsword the simple, single-handed weapon became known as a short sword or arming sword, since it hung from the belt of the knight, while his longsword hung from the saddle. In the mid-15th century treatise How a Man Shayl be Armyd, the author advises: “hys shorte swerde upon hys lyfte syde in a rounde ryunge all nakid to pulle out lightlie….and then hys long swerd in hys hand.’ for more click here

During the 16th century England and much of Europe found itself in turmoil and in a constant state of war. The outbreak of fighting led to the invention and development of new weapons and the growth and change of weapons of old. The development of weapons was a trademark of the time, with a sort of renaissance, or re-birth in the field of weaponry (Miller). The technology was highlighted by the invention of gunpowder by the Chinese which eventually found its way to England (Grolier). However, the use of gunpowder was minimal, because the use of had yet to be perfected. The technological advancement most useful during the period was progression of the metals used in weaponry. The new forms could be found in the production of swords, arrows, cannons, and armor, as well as varies siege weapons. for more click here

List of weapons:. [201] Gothic sword; [202] Gothic sword; [215] Austrian riding sword … Catalogue number:: 205; Name:: Sword: Epoch:: end of 16th century. for more click here

Source-South Leith Records