The heaviest weapon afloat in Tudor times was the curtall or curtow, generally of brass, and firing a 60-pound shot. The culverin was rather lighter and longer. There were a whole host of fancy names--and doubtless fancy types--for ordnance at this time, several of which have already been referred to as forming the armament of the _Great Michael_. Space forbids further enumeration or description, which, in any case, would be impossible on account of the very different guns which are called indiscriminately by the same name. But by the Armada days the following were the principal guns used afloat:-- Name. Bore. Weight of Shot. Double cannon 8-1/2 inches 66 pounds Whole cannon 8 " 60 " Demi-cannon 6-1/2 " 32 " Whole culverin 5-1/2 " 17 " Demi-culverin 4-1/2 " 9 " Saker 3-1/2 " 51 " Minion 3 " 4 " Falcon 2-1/2 " 2 " Falconet 2 " 1-1/2 " Robinet 1 " 1 "[38] The "double cannon" is sometimes called a "cannon royal" or a "carthoun". The "saker" is often spelt "sacre". The "culverin"--a name that occurs rather more frequently than any other at this time--was so called from the lugs or handles for hoisting it in and out of its carriage, which were made in the form of an ornamental serpent.[39]