The introduction of hand cannons in European armies around 1364 marked a significant evolution in military technology, as these handheld gunpowder weapons began to appear in military inventories. This innovation represented a shift from traditional melee combat to gunpowder-based warfare, altering battlefield dynamics. The adoption of hand cannons laid the groundwork for the development of firearms and changed the nature of armed conflict in Europe.

The introduction of hand cannons in European armies around 1364 shifted poetic narratives from valorous individualism to themes of impersonal destruction. This technological advancement influenced Renaissance war literature, prompting poets to grapple with the consequences of warfare.