2016/09/30 by Dan Spencer · 1 citation
Social Sciences · Arts and Humanities · #Eurasian Exchange Networks #Historical Studies of British Isles #Historical and Architectural Studies
paper · doi:10.1080/03044181.2016.1236506
openalex publication_date 2016/09/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/12
In 1415, the army of Henry V of England succeeded in capturing the French town of Harfleur after a six-week siege. This was a watershed moment in the history of warfare, as it was the first time that an English army had made extensive use of gunpowder weapons in besieging a sizeable urban settlement. Firearms were subsequently used in all major military operations, playing a key role in siege warfare and soon completely superseding traditional mechanical artillery. This paper examines the reasons why this important technological change occurred in the early fifteenth century and assesses the effectiveness of the English guns during the siege.