Basilisk (cannon): Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 22:02, 2 September 2008

The basilisk was a very heavy bronze cannon employed during the middle ages. The barrel of a basilisk could weigh up to 4000lb (1800kg) and could have a calibre of up to 5 inches (13 cm).^[1] On average they were around 10 feet long^[2] though some, like Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol, were almost three times that length.
The Basilisk gained its name as its huge 160lb shot terrified the enemy in a similar way to the mythological basilisk, a fire-breathing serpent that was thought to cause large-scale destruction; the very sight of it could scare its victims to death.^[3]
In 1588 the Spanish Armada was equipped with many Basilisks for their invasion of England with the intent of using them to besiege towns loyal to Elizabeth I.^[4] Many of these guns were lost when the ships were wrecked on their return to Spain.
Due to its large size, the Basilisk fell out of favour of European generals, who preferred lighter, more accurate artillery in the late 16th century.^[5] However the Ottoman empire continued to employ such weapons, known as Great Turkish Bombards, well into the 19th century.^[1]

References

[ATTA-1] Artillery through the ages

[2] ttp://www.shadowedrealm.com/glossary/term/Basilisk_(Cannon)

[3] ttp://www.regimental-art.com/history_greys.htm

[4] ttp://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yYupSOK0BgIC&pg=PA36&lpg=PA36&dq=basilisco+cannon&source=web&ots=oVBshGf7YY&sig=0lqVlCRyWjYoZiHf_4__eQWcPUc&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result

[5] ttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/55167/basilisk

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 [[Image:Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol.JPG|right|thumb|300px|A large English Basilisk known as Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol]]
 The '''basilisk''' was a very heavy [[bronze]] [[cannon]] employed during the [[middle ages]]. The barrel of a basilisk could weigh up to 4000lb (1800kg) and could have a [[calibre]] of up to 5 inches (13 cm).<ref name="ATTA">[http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/is3/is3c.htm ''Artillery through the ages'']</ref> On average they were around 10 feet long<ref>http://www.shadowedrealm.com/glossary/term/Basilisk_(Cannon)</ref> though some, like [[Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol]], were almost three times that length. <br>
+The Basilisk gained its name as its huge 160lb shot terrified the enemy in a similar way to the mythological basilisk, a fire-breathing serpent that was thought to cause large-scale destruction; the very sight of it could scare its victims to death.<ref>http://www.regimental-art.com/history_greys.htm</ref> <br>
 In 1588 the [[Spanish Armada]] was equipped with many Basilisks for their invasion of England with the intent of using them to besiege towns loyal to [[Elizabeth I]].<ref>http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=yYupSOK0BgIC&pg=PA36&lpg=PA36&dq=basilisco+cannon&source=web&ots=oVBshGf7YY&sig=0lqVlCRyWjYoZiHf_4__eQWcPUc&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result</ref> Many of these guns were lost when the ships were wrecked on their return to Spain.<br>
-Due to its large size, the Basilisk fell out of favour of [[Europe]]an generals, who preferred lighter, more accurate artillery in the late 16th century.<ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/55167/basilisk</ref> However the [[Ottoman empire]] continued to employ such weapons, known as [[Great Turkish Bombard]]s well into the 19th century.<ref name="ATTA"/>
+Due to its large size, the Basilisk fell out of favour of [[Europe]]an generals, who preferred lighter, more accurate artillery in the late 16th century.<ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/55167/basilisk</ref> However the [[Ottoman empire]] continued to employ such weapons, known as [[Great Turkish Bombard]]s, well into the 19th century.<ref name="ATTA"/>
 == Further reading ==