Saker Cannon

By Crusader1307

Developed in the 15th Century, The Saker was favored by the English. Named after the Saker Falcon (a large Middle Easrtern predatory bird). The Saker's barrel was around 9 feet long with a 3.5 to 4 inch bore diameter. It could fire a 5-pound shot some 7,500 feet (using a 4 pound powder charge). The shot was designed to bounce, so as to cause even more damage to troops. King Henry VIII commissioned a large inventory of Saker's for his armory. During his conflicts with France, he incorporated the Saker into the Royal Navy. It is speculated that Henry bought so much brass for his foundries, that it caused a shortage in Europe. The Saker was a popular artillery piece during The English Civil War and popular with both armies of The Jacobite Rebellion. They were mounted on many different types of carriage designs. Many Sakers made it to The New World Colonies. Needed for protection, they were often taken off ships for use in Forts (against possible Spanish raids).