Henry VIII had needed to import bronze cannons from the continent. But home-made iron cannons, though harder to cast, were far cheaper (almost one-fifth the price). This meant significantly more ‘bangs per buck’ – a technical advantage that was to endure for centuries.
— Niall Ferguson
What is this from? Having read Wolf Hall this past year I am finding myself more interested in this period and with Henry in particular.
Niall Ferguson’s Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power. Also available in Kindle edition. For a breathless history, Alison Weir’s Henry VIII: The King and His Court is damn good, but the most fun I’ve had with Hank Eight has been Margaret George’s Autobiography of Henry VIII.
Wow. Not a Potted Plant is truly a full service blog. Thanks, Burt.