I've kind of been hoping Michael, our master of medieval ordnance would come in on this.
Is it possible this item might be a signalling mortar, used much in the manner of signalling cannon on ships ? I know that there was some sort of protocol using these cannons to alert and advise the immediate area, such as ships where a single blast of the cannon upon entering port was to indicate friendly entrance or to that effect.
The cross on the barrel of course seems indicative of Church oriented use, and perhaps its presence might relate to the fact that in medieval times the bishops and abbots as well as the Church complexes were actually the ordnance depots in a manner. I am thinking in terms of the Bishops being the figures authorizing and securing arms, as the religious phrases and symbols on sword blades in early times often originated from this circumstance. The armourers actually had set numbers of weapons to produce per capita as thier 'rent', and the 'X' markings often seen on blades for many years hence derived from that letter, usually accompanying bishops signatures, and relating to that practice. Just my speculation based on my understandings pertaining to markings, and my opinion only.
Wheres Michael?
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