Spanish cannon were first used by the Moors of Al-Andalus in the 13th century. Under the Christian Kings of Spain, the first artillery masters were employed in the 14th century. With the Age of Discovery, and the establishment of colonies in the Spanish Main, cannon saw use aboard Spanish galleons and in forts in the Americas, first against the native tribes, and later against English privateers. The Spanish treasure fleet depended on cannon for defence, and the failed Spanish Armada similary found use for the weapon.
Middle Ages
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The Islamic world also employed gunpowder, and the Karshuni manuscript has additions of gunpowder recipes from the early 12th century. There is mention of rockets or fire arrows being used in the mid-13th century, primarily as psychological weapons, and primarily defensively. Defensive use of Moorish cannon occured during the siege of Seville in 1248, and the siege of Niebla in 1262, where it is reported that Almohad defenders used machines which projected stones and fire accompanied by thundering noises. Some Spanish histories consider that this was the first time that gunpowder had been used in warfare in Spain.[1] In reference to the siege to Alicante in 1331, the Spanish historian Zurita recorded a "new machine that caused great terror. It threw iron balls with fire."[2][1] The Spanish historian Juan de Mariana recalled further use of cannon during the capture of Algeciras in 1342:
- "The besieged did great harm among the Christians with iron bullets they shot. This is the first time we find any mention of gunpowder and ball in our histories."[3]
Hand cannon or hand cannon-like devices were reported to be employed against the Mongols in 1260 and in 1304, an unattributed manuscript also depicted fire arrows and long-handled handguns. By 1340, light cannon are widespread enough in the Islamic world to end up in military inventories. The Spanish kings at the initial stages enlisted the help of Moorish experts:
Age of Discoveri
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- ^ a b [1]
- ^ Partington, J. R., A History of Greek Fire and Gunpowder, reprint by Johns Hopkins University Press, p. 191 (Latin text of Zurita)
- ^ Mariana,.Juan de, Historia general de Espana, 2 volumes, Madrid, 1608, ii, 27; English tr. by Capt. John Stephens, The General History of Spain, 2 parts., London, 1699. Part one, p.2 64.
- ^ Ada Bruhn de Hoffmeyer, Arms and Amour in Spain, p. 217.