The vast assemblage of military equipment that has been unearthed
(probably the largest collection of late 16th-and 17th-century English
weapons used in America) emphasizes the important part which firearms
and other weapons played during the early years of the settlement. They
helped the colonists to protect themselves from the ever-menacing Indian
and from the Spaniards who might at anytime have sailed up the James
River to attack the small colony. They were also the means of providing
the settlers with much of their food.
During the early years of the colony each Englishman who planned to
emigrate to Virginia was advised to supply himself with the following
"Armes":
"One Armour compleat, light.
One long Peece, five foot or five and a halfe, neere
Musket bore.
One sword.
One bandaleere [a bandoleer was a belt worn to carry the
cases which held the powder charges].
Twenty pound of powder.
Sixty pound of shot or lead, Pistoll and Goose shot."
Most of the kinds of arms listed have been found at Jamestown and will
be described briefly along with other types of weapons which were
unearthed.