What is Bombard (weapon)?
[[Image:Bombard-MortarOfTheKnightsOfSaintJohnOfJerusalemRhodes1480-1500.jpg|thumb|Bombard-Mortar of the [[Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem]], [[Rhodes]], 1480–1500. The bombard was used for close defense of the walls (100–200 meters) at the [[Siege of Rhodes (1480)|Siege of Rhodes]]. It fired {{convert|260|kg|lb|0|lk=on|abbr=on}} [[granite]] balls. The bombard weighs about {{convert|3325|kg|lb|0|lk=off|abbr=on}}.]] A '''bombard''' is a large-[[caliber]], muzzle-loading, [[medieval]] [[cannon]] or [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]]. It was used in [[siege]]s for throwing heavy stone balls. The name '''bombarde''' was used in a French historical text around 1380. The modern term ''[[bombardment]]'' comes from this. Bombards were usually used during sieges to hurl various things into enemy [[fort]]s. Items such as stone or metal balls, burning materials and weighted cloth soaked in [[quicklime]] or [[Greek fire]] are have been written about. The name comes from medieval [[Latin]] and [[French language|French]] words<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.credoreference.com/entry/mwcollegiate/bombard_1_b%C3%A4m_b%C3%A4rd |title=bombard Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary |work= Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary |year=2004 |access-date=19 February 2012}}</ref> from an earlier [[Greek language|Greek]] word meaning the making of a humming noise. == Famous examples == A famous example of a bombard is [[Mons Meg]], a large weapon built around 1449 and used by King [[James II of Scotland]]. It was very powerful and used for bringing down [[castle]] walls.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.maybole.org/history/castles/norham.htm |title=Reconstruction of Norham Castle Siege by Scots in 1513 |work=maybole.org |year=2012 |access-date=19 February 2012}}</ref> Mons Meg could fire {{convert|180|kg|lb|0|lk=off|abbr=on}} shots and was one of the largest bombards in its time. It is now on public display at [[Edinburgh Castle]]. Other known bombards include two [[wrought iron]] weapons, the [[Pumhart von Steyr]] and [[Dulle Griet