In fact, Gunpowder was merely those substances, combined, with little or no purification. It was not at first corned or grained, as at present, but remained in its mealed state, and was called “serpentine powder,” in several accounts of stores in the time of Edward VI., and Elizabeth.
Two kinds.
Soon after this two kinds of powder were used for the same gun, one in its mealed state (for priming only) as being more readily ignited by the match, the other, corned or grained, for the charge in the gun barrel.
Powder first used to explode mines in 15th century.
The application of powder to mines, and to the destruction of fortifications, does not appear to have been in practice before the end of the fifteenth century.
Elizabeth had powder made, 1558 to 1603.
Camden, in his life of Queen Elizabeth, says that she was the first who procured Gunpowder to be made in England, that she might not pray and pay for it also to her neighbours; but it has been stated that it was previously made in the reign of Richard II.
Charles I. from A. D. 1625 to 1649.
Sir Henry Manwayring, in his Seaman’s Dictionary, presented to the Duke of Buckingham, in the time of Charles 1st, under the word powder, tells us, “There are two kinds of powder, the one serpentine-powder, which powder is dust (as it were) without corning. The other is “corn-powder;” though he informs us the serpentine-powder was not used at sea. Indeed, when that book was written, it is believed powder was usually corned, for the foreign writers on artillery had long before recommended its general use.
Causes which checked the progress of Fire-Arms.