Medieval Guns

On tour at the Ozark Medieval Fortress guests often ask about gunpowder and Medieval guns and cannons.  Gunpowder was invented by the Chinese during the Tang Dynasty, about the 900’s, but it was used just for fireworks and was not known in Europe.  Black powder was separately invented in Europe by a German monk named Berthold Schwartz in 1315 and was quickly used to make primitive firearms.  This, of course, is after the time frame of the Ozark Medieval Castle (1226-1246).  The castle has, however, had the great opportunity to have demonstrations of Medieval guns as well as period weapons (swords, crossbows, etc.) by the Springfield, MO Bramble School of Defense on special occasions.