In this chest are replicas of some of the types of weapons which were reportedly aboard the 16th century Golden Hinde. We know a fair amount about these weapons because of reports provided by Drake’s prisoners, who were picked up and questioned by the Spanish Inquisition following their release. The Inquisition were naturally interested in the threat Drake posed, and so details of his ship’s armaments were considered very important.
The large firearm is an arquebus. Arquebuses were first deployed in Europe and the Ottoman Empire in the mid-15th century, but by the date of Drake’s circumnavigation in 1577, they were being used all over the world. This arquebus is called a ‘Caliver’ and was introduced in the latter half of the 16th century as the first standardised version of the firearm.
To fire the arquebus, the arquebusier would load gunpowder, shot and wadding in the muzzle and then use the ramrod to push it down the barrel. Priming powder was then poured into the small pan at the back of the barrel, which could be covered for safety. The match cord, which was soaked in saltpetre, would then be lit and secured in the lock lever. When ready, the arquebusier would bring the stock to his shoulder, aim, and squeeze the metal trigger at the back of the arquebus. This would lower the match to the pan and ignite the powder.
Whilst arquebuses could not necessarily match either the rate of fire or the accuracy of a longbow, they were easier to use, required less physical strength and packed more punch. A shot from an arquebus could easily tear through armour which would have offered great defence against arrows.
At sea, arquebusiers had to be especially careful to keep their powder dry. On one occasion during the circumnavigation, Drake and others were almost killed as a result of an arquebus which had become wet and would not fire.
Alongside the arquebus you’ll see several clay pots, topped with leather, and tied with cord. These are called firepots and were a 16th century grenade. Firepots like this were filled with gunpowder and flammable oils like camphor. In a battle, their match-cords were lit and they were thrown at enemy ships. The clay would shatter on impact and the burning cords would ignite their contents. The result was a flash, and then an oil-fire on the enemy decks. Fire posed a serious threat to wooden ships and their stores of pitch and powder. As a result, these weapons were particularly feared by mariners.
A much simpler weapon was the ballock dagger, like the one in this chest. Ballock daggers were extremely popular with mariners in the 16th century and were used as tools and cutlery as well as in combat. They were also fashion accessories. Ballock daggers get their name from the suggestive shape of the handle, and mariners would wear them in the front and centre of their belt, much like a codpiece.