Mons Meg was built on the orders of Phillip the Good, Duke of Burgundy in 1449, and was gifted to James 1453. it derives it's name from the fact it was cast in Mons, Belgium and the huge barrel moved to Scotland for mounting on it's carriage.
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Mons Meg
Edinburgh Castle |
The barrel weights weighs 6,970 kg (15,366 pounds ), is 4.6 m (15 feet ) in length.
The muzzle loading cannon has a caliber of 510mm (20 inches), and was capable of firing a 180kg (400 pounds) stone ball about 3,000 meters (roughly 2 miles). It had a rate of fire of 8 to 10 times a day (due to the considerable heat generated when fired).
The size of the weapon made it impractical to move in a battle and was only used once at the Siege of Norham Castle in 1513. Together with a similar cannon, they destroyed the outer and inner walls of the castle in a 10 day bombardment. Retired from active service it was used for firing salutes until it's barrel burst 14th October 1681. It was moved to the Tower of London in 1754, before being returned to Edinburgh Castle in 1829.
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