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Gunpowder: Century China
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Gunpowder or black powder is of great historical importance in chemistry. Although it can explode, its principal use is as a propellant. Gunpowder was invented by Chinese alchemists in the 9th century. Originally, it was made by mixing elemental sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter (potassium nitrate). The charcoal traditionally came from the willow tree, but grapevine, hazel, elder, laurel, and pine cones have all been used. Charcoal is not the only fuel that can be used.
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Gunpowder production in the United Kingdom (note the kingdoms of England and Scotland were not united until 1606) appears to have started in the mid 13th century with the aim of supplying The Crown. Records show that gunpowder was being made, in England, in 1346, at the Tower of London; a powder house existed at the Tower in 1461; and in 1515 three King's gunpowder makers worked there. Gunpowder was ... being made or stored at other Royal castles, such as Portchester Castle and Edinburgh castle.
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Gunpowder did not appear in Europe until the late 13th century. Gunpowder was initially invented in China around the early 9th century AC and spread first to the Middle East and later to Europe by trade routes. Some historians believe that gunpowder was independently invented in Europe, though it's not very likely.
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Gunpowder was first developed in China in the 10th century, where it was used primarily recreation, military applications were few but certainly existed. In the 14th century, gunpowder became known in Europe, possibly from the work of the German monk Berthold Schwartz. It was in Europe that the problems of gunpowder were solved (mixture, engraining etc.) and when combined with expanding knowledge in metallurgy, lead to a rapid development of cannons and other firearms.
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Gunpowder was first developed in China, no later than the eleventh century A.D., and possibly earlier. (Early texts are not clear if the mixture described is true gunpowder or not.) It was introduced into Europe in the thirteenth century, through unknown routes. The earliest known description of a true gunpowder formula is in a letter from Francis Bacon to Pope Clement IV in 1267 A.D. By 1275, Albertus Magnus described a formula of four parts saltpeter to one part charcoal and one part sulfur; the chemically ideal proportions are closer to 75% saltpeter, 11.5% sulfur, and 13.5% charcoal.
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Gunpowder eventually reached Europe. It played a very important role in warfare (see The Decline of the Medieval Castle). Due to the nature of gunpowder, it became increasingly popular for being easy to use, light and cheap. Before the 14th century, men had to be completely devoted to war, but this changed with the introduction of gunpowder when an unskilled arquebusier could kill a knight easily.
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