There are fewer sights more impressive on a battlefield than a cannon being fired, with its incredible noise and smoke!
Our regiment has its own cannon – The Lady Ann – and serving on its crew can be hard work but tremendous fun.
Being a member of a cannon crew is actually an excellent way to watch and participate in a battle at the same time – you have a very important role, but you can also get a unique perspective on the battle itself.
There’s also very little marching, making it ideal for people who are less mobile.
Being a member of a cannon crew
The cannon crew, commanded by the Gun Captain, moves, prepares and loads the gun ready for firing. Each person has a separate task, whether it is cleaning the cannon after firing or priming it for its next shot.
The artillery is usually coordinated by a high ranking officer, who will ensure that the cannon act together as part of the battle.
Safety is paramount when using an artillery piece and although there is a regular crew it is recommended people spend at least one day helping with the cannon, to appreciate the need to be aware of where they are on the battlefield.
What you’ll need to get started
In your first season, the regiment will be able to lend you your uniform of red soldier’s coat, breeches, and woollen stockings to make sure you’re not shelling out on kit before you’ve had a go.
You will need is a sturdy pair of boots of boots – preferably brown and without steel toecaps and obvious trademarks. Depending on your shoe size a member of the regiment may have spare authentic footwear that they can lend you for a muster.
You will need to bring a pair of ear plugs, which you can buy at any pharmacy, as you cannot be a member of a cannon crew without them.
All the equipment needed to load and fire the cannon is provided by the gun captain.
FAQ
Is it dangerous to be a part of the cannon crew?
Cannon captains are specially trained and experienced in loading and caring for the cannon, with safety paramount. The procedure is meticulous and the gun captain’s job is make sure all the rules are adhered to – so long as you follow orders you won’t be put in danger.
The History of Artillery
During the English Civil War, cannons were heavy, and hard to move and aim. Even the smallest cannons required at least four men to move them, while the largest needed around 16 horses. The missiles were most commonly balls of iron, however stones were often used as a cheap alternative. Whatever their size, they were not particularly effective in battle – positioned before set-piece battles began, their main use was to strike fear into the enemy, rather than causing large amounts of damage. They were also slow: after one round had been fired the soldiers had to complete a strict procedure before they can fire again, which involved cleaning the barrel, and loading another cannonball and charge of gunpowder.
It was during sieges that cannon were most useful. Armies would often have slow-moving ‘siege trains’ that would seek to ‘reduce’ enemy fortifications over a long period of time after they had been cut off from outside help. These sieges could drag on for weeks or months – Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire endured several sieges without being taken, while it took Parliament three separate sieges and hundreds of men to overcome Basing House in Hampshire.
There were three types of cannon: siege guns, heavy field pieces (Culverin, demi-Culverin), and light field pieces (Saker, Drake, Minion, Falonet, Robinet).
