Cannon

Cannons are type of heavy weapon used from the Middle Ages until the 19th century.

They came about due to the development of gunpowder and metallurgy. They consisted of a heavy barrel cast in one piece, generally of bronze or sometimes iron, mounted on a wooden carriage. Ammunition ranged from solid iron balls, to chain shot and cannister. They were muzzle loaded and thus slow to reload. Massed batteries were used on both land and sea. Their relatively short range limited them to direct fire only, as opposed to modern artillery which uses indirect fire.