What are galleons?

The Galleon was a 15th-16th century Spanish sailing vessel used in trade with the New World; large, top-heavy, square-rigged, having three masts, three or four decks, lofty sterns and bows; sterns made square and covered with carvings and ornaments; later bows and sterns re¬duced in size. Formerly the name was applied to Spanish ships of war that had three or four batteries of cannon. 130 of these ships took part in the Spanish Armada, but were too bulky to be effective.