did renaissance ships have guns?

Question

about 1500's. time of the galleys and galleons

Answer 1

Battle of Lepanto, 1571:" The regular galleys carried one 50-pound cannon or a 32-pound culverin at the bow as well as four lighter cannon and four swivel guns."
That, for Venetian (rowing) galleys.

Away from the Mediterrranean, though a range of guns were carried, from cannons to swivel guns, it wasn't until around the time of Henry VIII that warships began to carry guns, as opposed to troops, as their principle weapon.

This transition is thought to have contributed to the loss of the Mary Rose when, after a refit to equip her with more guns, she was still sent into battle with large numbers of soldiers on her upper works (especially the fore and stern castles).

Answer 2

From the end of XV centiry Galleys in the Mediterranean and Vessels in Atlantic started to be equipped by guns. Fixed guns, on the side of Vessels or on the edge of Galleys, swivel guns, and light back-charging guns to use against troops during short distance fights. During Lepanto Battle for example Venetians guilt 3 "Galeazze" sort of huge vessels, heavy and harmoured, with big guns mounted on sort of "Turret", mobile basis that made easy the aim. In Atlantic Guns were a bigger problem as XVI century ships were quite tall, and so deck guns were a limitation to stability.

Answer 3

absolutely. cannons were invented before the 1500s. they had all sorts of wonderful devices that they shot from cannons to damage other ships. grape shot, chain shot. they had regulat cannon balls, insendiary projectiles.