Bombard, Mont St Michel, France - Static Artillery Displays on Waymarking.com

During the 100 years war, most of Normandy was held by England, but le Mont Saint Michel was not[1]. The Mount was besieged, initially in 1423-4 and then in 1433-4 by English forces led by Thomas Scalles[2]. The resistance of the island provided inspiration to the French, not least to Joan of Arc[1]

The sieges were unsuccessful and two English "bombards" were abandonded, and given the name "Les Michalettes"

The plaque reads

BOMBARDES ANGLAISES ABANDONNÉES PAR L'ARMÉE DE THOMAS SCALLES LE 17 JUIN 1434
CALIBRE 380 420

The Gun is a wrought iron bombard[3]. This is the larger of the two Michalettes.

There was only one cannon on display at the time of our visit, although both Michalettes have, in the past, been on display. Note that the plaque refers to them in the plural.

Bombards were made by welding together previously forged and heated iron bars, and then placing white hot forged hoops around the barrel which contracted, adding strength (not unlike the construction of a wooden barrel). They fired stone shot.[4]

Links

1. XenophonGroup Mont St Michel: Unconquered During the 100 Years War
2. Rootsweb Thomas [de] Scal[l]es
3. XenophonGroup 15th Century Iron Bombards
4. Medieval science, technology, and medicine: an encyclopedia By Thomas F. Glick, Steven John Livesey, Faith Wallis. p55 The Age of the Bombard

What type of artillery is this?: Wrought Iron Bombard Where is this artillery located?: Monument grounds What military of the world used this device?: English 15th Century Date artillery was in use: 07/17/1434 Date artillery was placed on display: 06/17/1434 Artillery is no longer operational: yes Still may work: no Are there any geocaches at this location?: GC2E34F is an Earthcache. There are several others, click the "Nearest Geocaches" link Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed Cost?: Not Listed

Visit Instructions:
Two pictures are required for this Waymark. Please take a close up picture of the artillery. Take a second with the artillery in the distance and capture as much of the surroundings as possible. Name the Waymark with first the name of the area and second what the artillery is. An example would be if it were a cannon in front of the Montgomery Armory you would name the Waymark: Montgomery Armory Cannon.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   05/25/2023 Metro2 visited it 08/31/2022 PetjeOp visited it 08/29/2021 Zam's visited it 08/29/2020 sara et gege visited it 08/08/2020 André de Montbard visited it 11/15/2016 Kickeux visited it 10/26/2016 NlLS visited it 04/08/2016 Itamae visited it 05/07/2015 gudeca7 visited it 08/13/2014 ToRo61 visited it 07/12/2014 Trail Blaisers visited it 07/03/2014 ninasger visited it 05/28/2014 Dragon Ball visited it 02/14/2014 Corto-Maltese visited it 09/29/2012 JMRetSB visited it 08/04/2005 Hertogh visited it

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