The Cannon of Charles VIII
The Walls of Florence
"But now the French brought a much handier engine, made of brass, called 'cannon', which they charged with heavy iron balls, much larger than those of stone, made use of heretofore, and drove them with horses, not with oxen, so as to keep pace with the army.  These were planted against the walls of a town, with great ease and speed; the space between the shots was so little, and the ball was impelled with such force, that as much as done in a few hours, as formerly in the like number of days.  These, rather diabolical than human instruments, were used, not only in sieges, but also in the field, and were mixed with others of a smaller size.  This artillery rendered Charles’ Army, already formidable for the number and valor of its troops, dreadful to all Italy."
Source:Â Francesco Guicciardini (Austin Parke Goddard, translator) The History of Italy: From the Year 1490 to 1532 (London:Â John Tower, 1753) Volume I pages 139-140
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