Tercentenary Cannons

Tercentenary Cannons. . Brass cannon like these were named by Bradford and Winslow in the annals of Plymouth as mounted on the First Fort, 1621, and were still in use in 1645 when the Ancient And Honorable Artillery Company Of Massachusetts under its commander Major General Gibbons joined the Plymouth Company under the command of Captain Myles Standish to fight against the Narragansett Indians , These pieces are from the collection in the British National Artillery Museum. They were the only cannon of that period and of English manufacture in the collection "in consideration of the greatness of the occasion, the tercentenary celebration of the landing f the pilgrims, and the good will of the English Nation,the government, on behalf of the British people have made this gift to the town of Plymouth Massachusetts", On the right is a "minion" of the time of Mary, 1554, with a rose and the letters M.R. (Maria Regina). and is inscribed "John and Thomas Mayo, brethern, made this pece anno dni. 1554." On the left is a "sakeret" of the time of Edward the Sixth with a shield and three lions passant inscribed, "Tomas Owen made this pece for the ye'l of carnse vhan ser Peter Mevtas vas governor and captayn, anno dni. 1550.", They were transmitted through the Honourable Artillery Company Of London, chartered 1537, and placed here by the ancient and Honorable Artillery Company Of Massachusetts, chartered 1638, and dedicated October the 4th, 1921., This tribute to amicable relations Colonel the Earl of Denbigh and Desmond commandant of the Honorable Artillery Co. and honorary member of the A.& H.A. Co.