The Unearthed Weapons Chest Reveals New Insights into 15th Century Maritime Warfare: The Gribshunden and the Rise of Gunpowder

Archaeologists in Sweden have unearthed a century-old weapons chest on the wreck of a 15th-century warship that could shed light on the fire and explosion that led to the sinking of the Danish king’s flagship. The chest, referred to as a “zeuglade,” was likely used by German-speaking mercenaries on board the ship.

The discovery of the weapons chest is significant in understanding the fate of the ship, according to maritime archaeologist Rolf Warming and professor Johan Rönnby. The chest contained molds for making lead bullets, lead plates for melting the molds, and a cylindrical box thought to be for shot. This highlights the shift from ancient maritime combat techniques to using gunpowder to attack enemies from a distance. Warming notes that it took over a century for tactics and technology to fully develop in maritime warfare.

The Gribshunden served as the flagship of King Hans of Denmark, who was not on board when the ship sank. It was returning from the Swedish town of Kalmar, where discussions on unifying Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under the Kalmar Union took place. The discovery on the ship could help explain whether the sinking was the result of sabotage or an accident caused by faulty equipment or human error.

Overall, this weapons chest discovery on the Gribshunden provides a window into early stages of maritime military technology and tactics, showcasing how direct combat transformed into using gunpowder weapons in warfare.