Weapons

Matchlock Muskets

Early modern England sees some significant changes in warfare. The longbows that defined the success of medieval battles were replaced by muskets. Technological advances contributed to increased use of gunpowder weapons.

Matchlock musket

Development of the matchlock musket in the 1550s.
How the matchlock muskets worked:
- Trigger moved the burning string to the pan, sparking the priming powder.
- This explosion pushed the shot down the muzzle and out of the gun.

Matchlock musket strengths

Strengths:
- Only basic training required (2 weeks).
- Wounds from muskets were debilitating.
- Penetrated plate armour.

Matchlock musket limitations

Limitations:
- Less accurate than longbows.
- Slow rate of fire.
- Long reload time - muzzle loaded.
- Short range (100m).

Advances in Weaponry c.1500-1700

Flintlock muskets

Used flint rather than string to ignite gunpowder.
Quicker and more reliable than matchlocks, but very expensive.
Used from 1610s.

Pistols

Smaller and lighter than muskets.
Operated with one hand (so used by cavalry).
Available from early 1500s.

Cannons

Lighter field guns created.
Still poor mobility and limited range/accuracy.

Bayonets

Short, sharp daggers fixed to the end of a musket.
Initial designs (plug bayonets) prevented soldiers from firing the muskets.
Later developments (ring and socket bayonet) in the 1670s and 1680s were more successful.

Continuity in weapons

Pike - limitations in the muskets meant that even by 1640, ⅓ of the infantry were still armed with pikes.
Sword - remained the most useful cavalry weapon.

1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500

1.1Medieval Warfare & Society

1.1.1Weapons

1.1.2Composition

1.1.3Recruitment & Training

1.1.4Experience of Civilians

1.1.5Case Studies

1.1.6Change in Medieval Warfare

2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700

2.1Early Modern Warfare & Society

2.1.1Weapons

2.1.2Composition

2.1.3Recruitment & Training

2.1.4Experience of Civilians

2.1.5Case Studies

2.1.6Change in Early Modern Warfare

3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900

3.1The Industrial Period & Warfare

3.1.1Weapons

3.1.2Composition

3.1.3Recruitment & Training

3.1.4Experience of Civilians

3.1.5Case Studies

3.1.6Change in Industrial Period Warfare

4Modern Warfare c.1900-present

4.1Modern Warfare & Society

4.1.1Weapons

4.1.2Composition

4.1.3Recruitment & Training

4.1.4Experience of Civilians

4.1.5Case Studies

4.1.6Change in Modern Warfare

5The Historic Environment

5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45

5.1.1London: A Target

5.1.2Preparations for War

5.1.3The Blitz

5.1.4V1 & V2 Attacks

5.1.5Impact of the Blitz

5.1.6The War Effort

5.1.7The Government

5.1.8The Royal Family

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