The Calibres de France ("French calibers") was a system of standardization of cannons in France, established by King Francis I of France from about 1525.[1] The objective was to simplify and codify cannonry, in order to facilitate production.[1] On 26 September 1526, Francis I wrote about the artillerye de mon calibre ("Artillery of my caliber"), and an even earlier mention is known from 1512.[1] The Calibres de France were formalized in an ordinance of 1552.[2]
Six standard sizes were defined: the cannon (Canon), the "grand" culverin (Grande couleuvrine), the "bastard" culverin (Couleuvrine bâtarde), the "middle" culverin (Couleuvrine moyenne), the Falconet (Faucon), and the (Fauconneau).[1]
The system was expanded by an ordinance dated 27 November 1572, and an edict dates December 1601.[1]
The 6-guns Calibres de France system was still in place at the time of Louis XIII, which was later developed to an 18-guns system.[3]
The system was phased out with the Keller system in 1666, and the De Vallière system on 7 October 1732.[3]
Other models
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"Grande couleuvrine" of Francis I with Salamander emblem and inscription in Arabic, Siege of Rhodes (1522). -
"Couleuvrine bâtarde" of 1548, with arms of Henri II and Catherine de Medicis and crescent of Diane. Caliber: 85mm, length: 300 cm, weight: 1076 kg. -
Bronze culverin of Francis I. -
Grand culverin of the Knights Hospitallers, 1500-1510, Rhodes. French work, caliber: 165 mm, length: 540 cm, weight: 3,343 kg, ammunition: 15 kg iron ball. Arms of Grand Master Emery d'Amboise. Given by Abdülaziz to Napoleon III in 1862.
Notes
- ^ a b c d e La Grande Maîtresse, nef de François Ier: recherches et documents d'archives by Max Guérout p.231
- ^ L'histoire mémorable du siège et de la famine de Sancerre (1573) by Jean de Léry, Géralde Nakam p.70
- ^ a b Dictionnaire Des Institutions De La France Aux Dix-Septieme Et Dix-Huitieme Siècles by Marcel Marion p.26