I have been doing some reserarch for a possible magazine article on the development of gunpowder weapons which were used by individuals (as opposed to cannons) and the impact their development had on warfare,
Around 1500 there was a French general, the Chevalier Bayard, who probanly was the first serious anti-gun person. He used to hang any Spanish or Italian prisoner whose equipment showed that he had carried firearms.
The Spanish infantry were well aware of this and at the battle of Ravenna in 1512 Bayard lead a cavalry charge against a Spanish infantry company. Bayard wore a large white plume on his helmet so he was easily identified. The 20 musketers in the Spanish company decided that whoever was going to live through the battle. it was not going to be Bayard. They all aimed at him and held their fire until he was 30 yards away. Hit by a dozen .85 caliber round lead musket balls which penetrated his suit of armor, Bayard promptly died, thus ending the world's first anti-gun program!
Around 1500 there was a French general, the Chevalier Bayard, who probanly was the first serious anti-gun person. He used to hang any Spanish or Italian prisoner whose equipment showed that he had carried firearms.
The Spanish infantry were well aware of this and at the battle of Ravenna in 1512 Bayard lead a cavalry charge against a Spanish infantry company. Bayard wore a large white plume on his helmet so he was easily identified. The 20 musketers in the Spanish company decided that whoever was going to live through the battle. it was not going to be Bayard. They all aimed at him and held their fire until he was 30 yards away. Hit by a dozen .85 caliber round lead musket balls which penetrated his suit of armor, Bayard promptly died, thus ending the world's first anti-gun program!
