Gun on Replica Carriage

Facts

• This gun was loaded with a solid cast iron shot when it was recovered.
• The gun has the following inscription 'ROBERT AND JOHN OWYN BRETHERYN BORNE IN THE CYTE OF LONDON THE SONNES OF AN INGLISH MADE THYS BASTARD ANNO DNI 1537'. The term 'bastard' simply refers tot he fact that the weapon was non-standard and could not be either a culverin or a cannon.
• There were seven broadside guns found on the starboard side of the main deck of the Mary Rose, presumably matched by a similar number on the missing port side. Other heavy guns were found on the upper and castle decks.

• The guns discovered on the Mary Rose were a mixture of muzzle-loading cast bronze guns and breech-loading wrought iron guns. The bronze guns rested on elm carriages with four small solid wheels. These enabled them to be run back for cleaning and loading. The iron shot they fired were capable of damaging the hull, upper works and rigging of opposing vessels as well as killing the crew.

• Two bronze guns were mounted on the aftercastle, firing forward past the forecastle. N.A.M. Roger has suggested that these were added as a result of the clash with the French galleys in 1513, to help cover one of the weakest points in a sailing warship.