Board of Ordnance
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The Board of Ordnance was an English and British authority responsible for arms and equipment for the British and British armed forces, the Royal Army and Royal Navy . The beginnings of the board go back to the year 1414. It has been an authority since the 16th century. It was the first permanent military institution in England. In 1855 the board was dissolved and merged with the War Department .
history
The Board of Ordnance evolved from the English King's Privy Wardrobe . He was responsible for all of the king's personal equipment including his weapons. Over time he had been given responsibility for all weapons and fortifications in the Tower of London . The Board of Ordnance was founded in the 15th century. Nicholas Merbury , appointed in 1414, was the first Master of Ordnance . This post replaced the post of guardian of the Privy Wardrobe, his rank grew steadily over time. While Merbury was still a simple official, the Masters of Ordnance were consistently knights or lords from the end of the 15th century.
The expansion from a single post to an independent authority began under Henry VIII. He appointed various assistants to the Master such as the Lieutenant, the Storekeeper, the Surveyor and the Clerk of Deliveries. The official establishment of a board dates from 1597. After another reorganization in 1683, it had the structure it was to keep until its dissolution. While the board was originally a civil authority, its ranks have been increasingly filled with officers over the centuries. In the 19th century, it resembled a second war department that mainly dealt with current warfare.
During those decades, the differences with the War Department became blurred and the board became increasingly concerned with actual warfare. In the course of the disastrous Crimean War for Great Britain , an extensive re-evaluation of the British military followed. In this context, Parliament dissolved the Board of Ordnance and merged its remains with the War Department.
structure
Since 1683 the board was organized on a collegial principle . The Master-General presided over the meetings of the College. Next to him were the Lieutenant-General, the Deputy Master-General and Storekeeper, the Surveyor and the Clerk of Deliveries. According to the departmental principle , each officer was responsible for his own area and authorized to make decisions. This area was responsible for the procurement and distribution of weapons, ammunition and supplies.
In addition to the leading civilian leadership of the board, it also had a military section. The Master-Gunner of England employed the Gunners who formed the artillery of the British Army. They were the only permanent occupation of the English castles and bastions. They were also responsible for overseeing the Navy riflemen, but the riflemen themselves belonged to the Navy. In addition, the board employed its own engineers who carried out tests with explosives and weapons. At its heyday, the board employed several thousand soldiers and engineers who made up the British artillery.
The board had its origin and seat in the Tower of London.