Salutations!

[desperance]

Because I've been reading so much Patrick O'Brian, where ships are constantly firing off salutes to the flag or the governor or an allied fortress - and get quite huffy if their salutes are not returned promptly and appropriately, why aren't you firing back, you bastards? - I did some idle research. As you do.

So, a question for you: without googling or wiki'ing or any other variety of looking it up, what is the maximum number of guns fired in a royal salute, and why is it that number of guns? Make it up, by all means, but I want reasons...

Comments

[birdsedge.livejournal.com]

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/tourists/gun_salutes.cfm
Well, I figured the Royal Parks people would know, but if you know more, do tell...

[desperance.livejournal.com]

Will do. I'm just waiting for other people to have a turn...