Which advances in weaponry developed during the Hundred years' war made war more deadly?
The Hundred Years' War, fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453, witnessed several advances in weaponry that significantly increased the deadliness of war. Some of these advancements include:
1. Longbow: The English longbow played a vital role in the war, especially during the early phases. Compared to the traditional bows used by the French, the longbow had greater range, accuracy, and penetrating power. This weapon allowed English archers to inflict heavy casualties on the French knights, as demonstrated in battles like Crécy (1346) and Agincourt (1415).
2. Cannon: Although cannons were in limited use during the early stages of the war, they became more widespread later on. These artillery pieces were used to bombard cities, fortifications, and armies. The introduction of cannons revolutionized siege warfare and made it more deadly, as the massive projectiles could cause destruction and loss of life on an unprecedented scale.
3. Firearms: Initially unreliable and inaccurate, firearms gradually became more lethal during the Hundred Years' War. Early handheld firearms like hand cannons and arquebuses started appearing, eventually evolving into more efficient weapons by the end of the conflict. Firearms disrupted the traditional reliance on heavy armor and made armies vulnerable to massed firepower.
4. Plate Armor: Though plate armor itself did not contribute to the deadliness of war, it resisted many of the existing weapons' advancements. However, it became increasingly expensive and difficult to produce, leading to the decline of knights in heavy armor and the rise of infantry equipped with ranged weapons.
Overall, these advancements in weaponry during the Hundred Years' War contributed to a higher death toll by enabling more efficient and effective means of warfare, changing the dynamics of battles, siege warfare, and the role of different military units.