content_output-055_5 (Q6280)

About this period also so numerous and divers were the pieces in use that they were divided into classes and arranged and named according to the calibre, length, or weight. In France in the reign of Charles V. cannon were mounted upon carriages, and had trunnions and handles, and the touch-holes were covered with hinged flaps. The cannon of the French army then consisted of mortars, four sizes of cannon throwing bullets weighing from 6 to 40 lbs. each, and were called respectively, cannons, culverins, sackers, and falconets. In 1551, under Francis I.