Besides which, we also learn from Holinshed, that the Lancastrians, during the night before the battle, continually discharged their cannons at the camp of Edward IV.; and Holinshed adds:—
“The King would not suffer anie of his gunnes in all that night to be shot off, least thereby they might have gessed the ground, and so levelled their artillerie to his annoyance.”—Holinshed’s Chronicles, vol. i. fo. 684.
Same year.—A small cannon-ball, weighing a pound and a half, was dug up near the obelisk erected upon Gladmore Heath, where the battle of Barnet was fought.—Hutton’s Bosworth Field, Introduction, p. xxxv.
1471.—In the march of Queen Margaret and her army from Gloucester towards Tewkesbury, “the Lord Beaucampe toke from her rereward, more ordinance then she might have wel spared, which did to her no smal prejudice.”—Hall’s Chronicles, fo. 31.
Same year.—At the battle of Tewkesbury the Yorkists were well furnished “with great artillerie,” and the Lancastrians defended themselves “with shot of arrowes and great artillerie, although they had not the like plentie of guns as the King had.”—1 Holinshed, fo. 687.
1471, May 14th.—Thomas Neville, called the Bastard of Falconbridge, and the common people, and undisciplined forces under him, being denied a passage through the city of London, “sette upon diverse parties therof, as Bysshoppes Gate, Algate, London Brydge, and a long the waters syde, and shot gonnes and arowes, and fyred the gates with cruell malyce, as Bysshoppes Gate and Algate, and fought,” &c.—Fabyan’s Chron., fo. 223.
1471.—Another old writer (Leland) states, that “they shot his ordinaunce at the cyte and brent aboute London Bridge and at Aldgate.”—1 Lel. Coll. fo. 506.
Another account states that he “loosede his gonnes into the citee.”—MS. Chronicle, by Warkworth, p. 19, printed for the Camden Society.
Same year.—And another writer states, that “Hereupon, having brought certeine peeces of artillerie foorth of their ships, they planted the same alongst the water side right over against the citie, and shot off lustilie, to annoie them within, so much as was possible. But the citizens on the other side lodged their great artillerie against their adversaries, and with violent shot thereof so galled them, that they durst not abide in anie place alongst the water side, but were driven even from their owne ordinance.”—1 Holinshed, fo. 690.
Same year.—At the renewal of the truce between Edward IV. and the Duke of Brittany, stipulations were introduced for the safety of merchants, “de harnois, d’armures, d’artilleries,” &c.—11 Fædera, fo. 726.