Uncovering the Past: The Zeuglade Discovery on the Gribshunden Reveals Early Naval Warfare Evolution

The recent discovery of a weapons chest on the wreckage of a 15th-century warship in Sweden has provided valuable insight into the fire and explosion that led to the sinking of Danish King Hans’ flagship, the Gribshunden. The chest, known as a “zeuglade,” contained tools for making lead bullets for early handguns, shedding light on key changes in naval warfare during that era.

The discovery was made by maritime archaeologists Rolf Warming and professor Johan Rönnby, who believe that the chest was likely used by German-speaking mercenaries on board the ship. The chest contained molds for making lead bullets, lead plates for melting the molds, and a cylindrical box thought to be for shot.

Warming notes that this finding highlights the shift from ancient maritime combat techniques to using gunpowder to attack enemies from a distance. It took over a century for tactics and technology to fully develop in maritime warfare, and the shipwreck offers valuable insights into the early stages of naval warfare evolution.

The Gribshunden served as King Hans’ flagship when he was returning from discussions on unifying Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under the Kalmar Union. The discovery on the ship could help explain whether the sinking was due to sabotage or an accident caused by poor weather conditions.

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