c1500 - c1700 - Developments In Weaponry

Question 1

What did the musket begin replacing in the 1550s?

Answer 1

The longbow

Question 2

What were the changes in society, thinking and technology that caused muskets to replace the longbow?

Answer 2

• growth of towns and changes in farming methods reduced the number of archers able to train
• it took years of practise to make a successful bowman, yet it only took days with muskets
• reports of muskateers defeating pikemen in battle led to changes in tactics and favoured muskets over pikemen
• new high-carbon steel armour was mostly arrow proof but armour could be pierced by muskets
• mass production of bullets meant any solider could have them
• thousands of bullets could be stored in a barrel, unlike arrows

Question 3

What was the wheel-lock pistol and when was it made?

Answer 3

• made in the 1540s
• a smaller firearm
• which was more suitable for use by cavalry

Question 4

What did pistols and swords replace?

Answer 4

• they replaced lances of medieval knights and armour was gradually abandoned because improved firepower made it worthless

Question 5

What were cavalry tactics when using pistols?

Answer 5

• they rode close to the enemy and fired in complex manoeuvres before withdrawing to reload

Question 6

What was the use of dragoons?

Answer 6

• they were used to skirmish and threaten an enemy’s flanks
• they were armed with Arquebuses or smaller muskets

Question 7

Why did the flintlock replace the matchlock musket?

Answer 7

• the musket was dangerous near gunpowder due to its exposed match flame
• it was unreliable in rain as its match could go out
• it was visible at night due to the exposed glow

Question 8

When was the plug bayonet introduced?

Answer 8

1660s

Question 9

In what year did the socket bayonet replace the pike?

Answer 9

1705

Question 10

What effect did the socket bayonet have on muskateer roles to solve problems between muskateers and pikemen working together

Answer 10

• they were converted into mêlée combatants so troops no longer needed to be split into two seperate roles and wasted

Question 11

Why was the power of the cannon weakened?

Answer 11

• new engineering methods led to stronger defensive walls
• England spent vast sums contructing new defences
• low, thick, earth-filled walls took blows without shattering
• walls were angled - so cannons would bounce off
• bastions provided defensive positions

Question 12

What led Henry VIII to use the musket?

Answer 12

Henry VIII (1509-47) received a battle report outlining the success of German muskets against Swiss pikemen, previously unbeatable in European warfare. This led to an increase in his use of firearms.

Question 13

Why did muskets and pikemen have to cooperate effectively?

Answer 13

Cavalry could ride down musketeers - because the muskets were so slow to load, they could only fire once in the time between the cavalry being out of range and the charge hitting them.

Pikemen could stop a cavalry charge

Question 14

Solutions to muskateers and pikemen working together:

Answer 14

The bayonet: a short sword or dagger that could be fixed to the end of a musket. It turned the musket into a short pike. With the bayonet, musketeers did not need pikemen to protect them: they could fix their bayonets and defend themselves.