Weapons and Wars in the Renaissance GC6

Invention of the Pike

Feb 18, 1297

The pike is a long, pole like weapon with a wooden shaft and a piece of sharpened rock or iron at the end of it. This weapon has been used since 1297, and was still used by the mid to late 19th century.

Invention of the backsword

May 18, 1316

The backsword was a weapon invented in the early 14th century, and was a straight, single-edged blade with a knuckle guard. It was the first sword to have a knuckle guard, and the dull edge was used for blocking attacks.

Start of the Hundred Years' War

Mar 23, 1337

This was the start of a conflict that spanned over a hundred years between the kingdoms of England and France. It was over a dispute between king Edward III of England and king Philip VI of France.

Invention of the Culverin

Mar 7, 1390

The culverin is an early hand cannon and a simple ancestor of the musket. It is basically a wooden tube with a hole to insert gunpowder and to place the projectile.

The Wars of Roses

Jan 24, 1455

Civil war between the two noble houses in England they were the Lancastrians and the Yorkists. Getting the name of the war from the Tudors political descendants would make there emblem a white rose getting the name of the war the war of the roses.

Invention of the Wall Gun

May 26, 1478

The wall gun is an early, large caliber smooth musket. The name comes from the fact that they were too heavy to carry around, and had to be placed on a wall to be shot.

Invention of the Stiletto

Nov 29, 1485

The stiletto is a knife or a dagger with a needle point, primarily used as a stabbing weapon. This weapon originated in Italy and was still being used during the 20th century. It is one of the most iconic weapons during the Renaissance.

The Italian War

Apr 12, 1494

It was a war between the French and Spain over control of the little states in Italy. Due to the military weakness of these states.

War of the League Cambrai

Sep 6, 1499

It was a war faught for the control of Venetian where Pope Julius III was concerned about the expansion to the republic of Venic so later called a Holy League including Spain England the the Holy empire of Rome.

Italian War

Oct 29, 1521

The elevation of Charles to Spain and then became Roman emperor led to the collapse of relations between France and Hasdburgs. Creating more feuds between these countries.

War of the League of Cognac

Mar 2, 1526

Pope Clement VII was very alarmed about the more and more power that he was growing. So he joined an alliance with the Republic of Venic the Republic of Florence and a few Italian states creating another league and war.

Invention of the Swiss Dagger

Sep 21, 1532

The Swiss dagger was a weapon used in Switzerland and by Swiss mercinaries. It was modeled after similar dagger types used in the 14th and 15th centuries called basler.

Invention of the Executioner's sword

Apr 13, 1540

This was a sword invented specifically for the exicution of criminals. They were usually designed with the inscriptions of executions or torture, specifically the crucifiction of Christ.

Invention of the Lantern Shield

Oct 19, 1540

The lantern shield is a buckler combined with a lantern, mainly used in the Italian renaissance. Some are more elaborite, however, with things such as spikes and gauntlets.

Invention of the basilisk

Dec 9, 1552

The basilisk was a large cannon, and one of the first ones to be invented. The weighed up to 4000 pounds, and were usually ten feet long.

The War of Religion

Jan 17, 1562

Series of French Civil wars between the Catholics and the Huguenots. This war was a war where King Henri III trys to supress the Protestantism and leads to conflict.