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The arrival of gunpowder and guns in early modern Europe caused apprehension. The war veteran turned playwright Ben Jonson (1572-1637) was critical of this development. What did he famously say on the subject?

Answer: “From the Devil’s arse did guns beget”. Jonson is generally regarded as the second most important English dramatist after William Shakespeare. He is best known for the satirical plays ‘Every Man in His Humour’, ‘Volpone’, ‘The Alchemist’ and ‘Bartholomew Fair’.

Source: The Age of Wars of Religion, 1000-1650 by Cathal J. Nolan

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