What is a bombard?
Q: What is a bombard?
A: A bombard is a large-caliber, muzzle-loading, medieval cannon or mortar.
Q: When was the term "bombarde" used in a French historical text?
A: The term "bombarde" was used in a French historical text around 1380.
Q: Where was a bombard usually used?
A: A bombard was usually used during sieges to hurl various things into enemy forts.
Q: What items were hurled using a bombard?
A: Items such as stone or metal balls, burning materials, and weighted cloth soaked in quicklime or Greek fire are have been written about.
Q: What is the origin of the name "bombard"?
A: The name comes from medieval Latin and French words from an earlier Greek word meaning the making of a humming noise.
Q: What was the modern term "bombardment" derived from?
A: The modern term "bombardment" comes from the name "bombarde" used in a French text around 1380.
Q: What was the purpose of using a bombard in a siege?
A: The purpose of using a bombard in a siege was to throw heavy stone balls into enemy forts.
