Renaissance Warfare
The Renaissance saw the new use of gunpowder in guns and canons.
Charles VIII's invasion on Italy, in 1494, took with them the first mobile
canon, which wrecked havoc on a large scale. Even more significance than
the canon was the invention of the musket.
Although
they lacked the accuracy and range of the Long Bow and Cross Bow, they
were easy the learn to use, so a normal man could be quickly turned into a
useful member of the army. The suits of armour that are associated with
the Medieval knight were in fact often used by the charging cavalry of the
Renaissance. The cavalry carried pistols, so could cause a murderous, if
random, firing at the opposing ranks.
Book mark:
http://www.lepg.org/warfare.htm