Medieval Glossary

Basilisk (Cannon)

A piece of ordnance that was ten feet long and weighed approximately 7,200 pounds; so called from its supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from its size.

Related term(s): Ordnance
Category: Siege Weapons and Artillery
Added: 09.04.05
Source information: Wilhelm, Thomas. A Military Dictionary and Gazetteer. Philadelphia: L.R. Hamersly & Co., 1881. 48.

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