If ever there was a turning point in history it was King Edward III’s encounter with the Scots at Stanhope in 1327. From that point on, guns and artillery transformed from being a fearsome novelty to a battlefield necessity, taken up by the state which could afford to deploy them in numbers. Edward moved quickly to create a formal establishment of ordnance in the Tower of London, and within five years the King’s Gunnes were pounding at the walls of Berwick. And even before the century was out giant wall-smashers – bombards – were firing stone balls weighing as much as two men. A final perspective is gained by noting that only a single century separates Crécy – the first great battle won by the longbow – and the English being driven from France, giving up the glorious gains of Crécy, Poitiers and Agincourt. This was achieved by guns; the French had learnt their lesson well and their superior artillery quickly reduced English castles across their nation, at one time at the rate of five a month. By then no more medieval castles would ever be built. It is of course an irony that Edward, the greatest knightly figure of the age, would in this way be the very one to set in motion the destruction of his world of jousts and chivalry.
I owe a debt of gratitude to the many people who have contributed in one way or another to the writing of this book. Space precludes naming them all but they have my deep thanks. I am particularly appreciative of the assistance given by Graeme Rimer FSA, Curator Emeritus, Royal Amouries; Stuart Ivorson, the Royal Armouries Librarian; and Liz Bregazzi, County Archivist, Durham.
This is my second book with Allison & Busby and as with the first it’s been a pleasure working with Publishing Director Susie Dunlop and her team. And last, but certainly not least, my heartfelt thanks to my agent Carole Blake and my wife and literary partner, Kathy.