Artillery of France in the Middle Ages
Artillery began to be used in France in the 14th century. The first depiction of a cannon in Europe appeared in Walter de Milemete's 1326 De nobilitatibus, sapientiis, et prudentiis regum. Small rudimentary weapons such as the pot-de-fer or the portable bâton à feu were introduced. At this early stage, cannon would fire either stone balls or metal pellets. 14th-century developments The 14th century saw considerable development of the new weapons in France and in Western Europe in general, especially with the outbreak of the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453). Cannons were soon used at sea, with ships being used as a firing platform. Small guns projecting quarrels or lead pellets were used at the 1340 Battle of Sluys, and in the French defence of Tournai in August 1340. Edward III used similar weapons at the Battle of Crécy in 1346, and in the Siege of Calais in 1347. "Ribaldis" were first mentioned in the English Privy Wardrobe accounts during preparations for the Battle of Crécy between 1345 and 1346. Cannons evolved considerably towards the end of the century with the collapse of the Treaty of Brétigny and the resumption of the war in 1369. Until 1370, cannons were essentially small