new weapons + formations

• What period does the introduction of new weapons in warfare cover?

  1250 to 1500
• What was the impact of new weapons on mounted knights by the end of the period?

  The style of mounted knights declined
• When was the longbow introduced into English armies?

  Early 14th century
• How long did English armies use the longbow as a key weapon?

  250 years
• How many arrows could be fired per minute using a longbow?

  15 arrows
• What was the effective range of the longbow?

  200 metres
• How did the longbow's power affect its effectiveness against knights?

  It could pierce through a knight's armor
• What formation did the Scots under William Wallace use?

  Schiltrons
• How were schiltrons formed?

  Infantry gathered in a circle of spears
• What was the purpose of the pikes in a schiltron formation?

  Pikes faced outwards towards the enemy
• How did Wallace use the schiltron against English cavalry?

  To inflict heavy losses on them
• When did gunpowder arrive in Europe?

  13th century
• What was gunpowder used for in warfare?

  To fire cannons
• By what year were cannons becoming standard siege weapons?

  1450
• How did the introduction of cannons affect castle design?

  Old styles became vulnerable to cannon fire
• What were some limitations of cannons?

  Heavy, expensive, and unreliable
• Why were cannons considered heavy and expensive?

  Transport involved complicated logistical planning
• What was a significant disadvantage of cannons regarding their range?

  They had to be close to their target
• What was a major reliability issue with cannons?

  They could blow up or fail to fire
• What improvements were made to cannons over time?

  Improvements in range and aim
• What materials were used to make cannons more effective?

  Metal for barrels and balls
• How did the introduction of new weapons affect mounted knights?

  Led to their decline in numbers and importance
• Why was the longbow effective against mounted knights?

  It was effective in taking them down
• How did the schiltron affect the role of cavalry?

  It increased infantry’s importance
• What change occurred in the role of cavalry due to new tactics?

  Cavalry took on specialist tasks
• How did the decline of mounted knights affect military power?

  Kings paid for mercenaries instead
• What was a consequence of kings paying for mercenaries?

  Reduced link between social class and command
• What are the advantages and improvements of cannons?

  • Useful in destroying city and castle walls
  • Shortened sieges
  • Improvements in range and aim
  • Development of specialist cannons
  • Use of metal for barrels and balls
• What were the limitations of cannons in warfare?

  • Heavy and expensive
  • Inadequate range for small targets
  • Short range requiring close proximity
  • Unreliable with risk of explosion
  • Slow to load and needing trained personnel
• What were the reasons for the decline of mounted knights?

  1. Longbow's effectiveness against knights
  2. Schiltron's effectiveness against cavalry
  3. Cavalry's new specialist roles