Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol

Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol is a cannon built in 1544 in Utrecht, before Elizabeth came to the throne.

The cannon measures 24ft in length and fired 4.75 inch calibre cannon balls. The cannon is decorated with engravings of fruit, flowers, grotesques, and figures symbolizing Liberty, Victory and Fame. There is also a Tudor coat of arms which includes a verse in Dutch, which translates in English as Break, tear every wall and rampart, Am I called, Across mountain and valley, pierces my ball, By me striken.

Between 1613 and 1622 the gun was used and was found to be capable of firing a 10lb ball a distance of 2000 yards.^[1]

In 1644 King Charles I's forces in Cornwall reported capturing '49 Peeces of faire Brasse Ordnance (taken then and the day before) among which was the great Basilisco of Dover …' ^[2]. This cannon has since been identified as Queen Elizabeth's Pocket Pistol.^[3]

The cannon can be seen at Dover Castle.

References

^ "Treasures of Britain" by Drive Publications Limited, for the Automobile Association. P.167
^ Mercurius Aulicus Week 36, British Library, Thomason Tracts E.10[20]
^ W. Y. Carmen, 2004. A History of Firearms: From Earliest Times to 1914. Dover Publications, p.45

External links

[1] "Treasures of Britain" by Drive Publications Limited, for the Automobile Association. P.167

[2] Mercurius Aulicus Week 36, British Library, Thomason Tracts E.10[20]

[3] W. Y. Carmen, 2004. A History of Firearms: From Earliest Times to 1914. Dover Publications, p.45

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