The Portuguese Bombardeiros: The Artillery That Fore an Empire

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the unsung heroes of Portugal's global expansion: the bombardeiros — the master gunners who turned artillery into the empire's sharpest edge. From the first bombardas used at Ceuta in 1415 to the devastating bronze cannons cast at the Ribeira das Naus, discover how Portuguese gunners adapted gunpowder warfare to ships, forts, and sieges across three continents. Learn about the legendary bombardier João de Deus who trained Indian artisans in Goa, the evolution of the berço and the camelo, and how a single cannonball could decide the fate of a fortress. The episode also dives into the secret foundries of the Algarve, the adoption of iron cannons from Flanders, and the technical manuals that spread Portuguese know-how from Brazil to Japan. A fresh angle on the age of exploration: not just sails and swords, but the thunderous technology that made Portugal a global power. #History #Portugal #FexingoHistory #Bombardeiros #Artillery #Gunpowder #RibeiraDasNaus #Ceuta #JoaoDeDeus #Goa #BronzeCannon #Berco #Camelo #Algarve #Flanders #EstadoDaIndia #SiegeWarfare #MilitaryHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo