Firearms underwent a fast development during the 1419-1434 Hussite Wars. The Hussite army consisted mostly of civilian militia, both men and women, who lacked the skill, experience and often weapons and armor comparable to that of the professional Crusader invaders that they faced. Gradually, Hussites pioneered battlefield use of firearms together with war wagons. Firearms were employed in auxiliary roles in 1419-1421. The first use of firearms as primary offensive weapons took place in the 1421 Battle of Kutná Hora. From this moment on, firearms were at the core of Hussite war strategy and tactics as well as a staple of Czech civilian possession. The Hussite militia used a number of handheld fireams, including ', which later found its way through German and French into English as the term "pistol", ', an infantry weapon heavier than , and yet heavier (fauconneau). As regards artillery, Hussites used the , which gave rise to the English term, ""howitzer"" ( meaning "crowd" for its intended use of shooting stone and iron shot against massed enemy forces), "bombarda" (mortar) and "dělo" (cannon).