Publications
A Note on Roman Bloomery Tuyeres, by Henry Cleere, published 1963 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 101, article, pp.48-53) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2186] & The Keep [LIB/500328] & S.A.S. library
Wealden Iron Research Group: First Series Bulletin No. 1, Spring 1969, edited by Henry Cleere and David Crossley, published Spring 1969 (Wealden Iron Research Group) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Excavations: Bardown and Holbean wood, by Henry Cleere, published Spring 1969 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 1, article, pp.2-4) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Abstract:Excavation continued at the Bardown Roman industrial site at Wadhurst, from 29 July to 18 August 1968, and for two subsequent weekends.
The Romano-British Industrial site at Bardown, Wadhurst, 1960-1968, by Henry Cleere, published 1970 (23 pp., Philimore & Co. Ltd., ISBN-10: 0900592206 & ISBN-13: 9780900592201) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8287] & The Keep [LIB/503076] & East Sussex Libraries
Wealden Iron Research Group: First Series Bulletin No. 2, 1971, edited by Henry Cleere and David Crossley, published Spring 1971 (Wealden Iron Research Group) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Excavations at Holbeanwood, by Henry Cleere, published Spring 1971 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 2, article, p.4) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Abstract:Excavations continued at the Holbeanwood site in Ticehurst, Sussex (Nat. Grid Ref. TQ 664 305) at Easter, Spring Bank Holiday, and a week in August 1970, and for a week at Easter 1971.
Fieldwork in the Wadhurst-Ticehurst area, by Henry Cleere and Dennis Hemsley, published Spring 1971 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 2, article, pp.5-6) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Abstract:Excavations for the natural gas pipeline during the first half of 1970 provided an excellent opportunity to cover a long stretch of country, from Etchingham through to Mayfield.
Broadfields, Crawley, by H. C. [Henry Cleere], published Spring 1971 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 2, article, p.7) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Abstract:John Gibson-Hill and his colleagues of the Crawley Archaeological Group have been working continuously for several months excavating sites at Broadfields, Crawley, where a substantial housing development is under way.
The Classification of Early Iron-Smelting Furnaces, by H. F. Cleere, published March 1972 in The Antiquaries Journal (vol. 52, article, pp.8-23) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 1862] View Online
Abstract:The paper begins by surveying the different types of early iron-smelting furnace, based on a tentative classification proposed by Coghlan in 1956. The ambiguities in this classification are indicated, together with examples of furnaces that do not fall easily into one of its three categories.
On the basis of data derived principally from furnaces of the Early Iron Age and Roman periods from northern Europe, the author proposes a new classification into two main groups, differentiated by their provisions or otherwise for the removal of molten slag during the iron-smelting operation. Each of these groups is further subdivided, according to the shape of the furnace superstructure and/or the method of supplying the air blast.
Review in Wealden Iron Research Group: Bulletin 6 Summer 1973:On the basis of data derived principally from furnaces of the Early Iron Age and Roman periods from northern Europe, the author proposes a new classification into two main groups, differentiated by their provisions or otherwise for the removal of molten slag during the iron-smelting operation. Each of these groups is further subdivided, according to the shape of the furnace superstructure and/or the method of supplying the air blast.
This article is important for the field-worker in districts where iron was made during the bloomery period. In a new attempt to classify bloomery furnaces the author questions the validity of the division between bowl hearths, domed furnaces and shaft furnaces. He puts the case for a classification depending on the presence or otherwise of facility for tapping molten slag. He divides the non-tapping furnaces between those without a superstructure (bowl furnaces) and those with cones or shafts (typified by the Schlackenklotz found in eastern Europe). Where provision for tapping is present he distinguishes between those with and without bellows, sub-dividing each into shaft furnaces and dome furnaces. While this is a useful suggestion, it does leave open the question why in each of the main divisions there are shafts and domes, and whether the differences in function between the two types of superstructure were sufficiently consistent to be given more attention.
What is particularly valuable is the author's reminder to archaeologists to question assumptions about furnace fragments found in the field. He shows how shaft furnaces, severely damaged either in antiquity or by modern land use, can present the appearance of bowl furnaces. Also he asks how many furnaces could really have operated with induced rather than forced draught. In particular he suggests that a domed furnace with a single wind hole could hardly function without bellows. Having made this point, drawing on the evidence of modern experiments, the author should perhaps have stressed in his diagrams and classification (pp.22-3) that his Type B/2/ii(Slag tapping/Hemispherical natural draught) could only be expected to work with multiple wind holes, a point which emerges in the early part of the article.
What is particularly valuable is the author's reminder to archaeologists to question assumptions about furnace fragments found in the field. He shows how shaft furnaces, severely damaged either in antiquity or by modern land use, can present the appearance of bowl furnaces. Also he asks how many furnaces could really have operated with induced rather than forced draught. In particular he suggests that a domed furnace with a single wind hole could hardly function without bellows. Having made this point, drawing on the evidence of modern experiments, the author should perhaps have stressed in his diagrams and classification (pp.22-3) that his Type B/2/ii(Slag tapping/Hemispherical natural draught) could only be expected to work with multiple wind holes, a point which emerges in the early part of the article.
Excavations 1971: Holbeanwood, by Henry Cleere, published June 1972 in Sussex Archæological Society Newsletter (no. 6, article, p.2) accessible at: S.A.S. library Download PDF
Wealden Iron Research Group: First Series Bulletin No. 3, Spring 1972, edited by Henry Cleere, published Spring 1972 (Wealden Iron Research Group) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Beauport Park 1971, by Henry Cleere, published Spring 1972 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 3, article, pp.6-7) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Part of Gerald Brodribb's "other story" can in fact now be told. I joined him in 1971 as joint director of the excavation, and we carried out an intensive dig on the bath-house that had come to light at the end of the previous year for three weeks in August/September. A number of members of the Group took part in the dig, notably Dennis Hemsley and Alan Scott.
Investigations by the Buxted team, by Henry Cleere, published Spring 1972 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 3, article, pp.10-12) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
Wealden Iron Research Group: First Series Bulletin No. 4, Summer 1972, edited by Henry Cleere, published Summer 1972 (Wealden Iron Research Group) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558] Download PDF
A Romano-British Bloomery at Pippingford, Hartfield, by C. Frederick Tebbutt and Henry Cleere, published 1973 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 111, article, pp.27-40) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2196] & The Keep [LIB/500318] & S.A.S. library
The Roman iron industry of the Weald and its connexions with the Classis Britannica, by Henry Cleere, published 1975 in The Archaeological Journal (vol. 131, article, pp.171-199) View Online
Abstract:Although iron working had begun on the Weald margins before the Roman invasion, 36 sites of known RB date can be listed in the High Weald and near the coast. The western group of sites was possibly in the hands of civilians trading to London overland; the eastern group relied primarily on river and sea communications. The Classis Britannica was controlling these eastern sites and the estuarine port at Bodiam between mid-2nd and mid-3rd century. Decline of the Wealden industry was partly due to over-exploitation of resources, but pirate raids may have forced closure (and perhaps removal to the Forest of Dean) in mid-3rd century.
Iron industry of the Weald, by Henry Cleere, D. Crossley and B. C. Worssam, published 31 December 1985 (367 pp., Leicester Uniersity Press, ISBN-10: 0718512138 & ISBN-13: 9780718512132) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9491] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
The Classis Britannica Bath-house at Beauport Park, East Sussex, by Gerald Brodribb and Henry Cleere, published November 1988 in Britannia (vol. 19, article, pp.217-274) View Online
Abstract:In 1849 Mark Anthony Lower published a pioneer paper on the ironworks of East Sussex, but this contained no mention of any ironworking at Beauport Park, near Battle. Ten years later, however, the Rev. S. Arnott, rector of the nearby parish of Hollington, wrote that, although there were no remains of early ironmaking in his parish, 'there is a large cinder-bank in Beauport Park on which grow firs with oak and ash, all planted by the owner, Sir Charles Lamb'.
Iron industry of the Weald, by Henry Cleere, D. W. Crossley and edited by Jeremy Hodgkinson, published 7 April 1995 (revised edition, 424 pp., Merton Priory Press Ltd., ISBN-10: 1898937044 & ISBN-13: 9781898937043) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 12860] & The Keep [LIB/502218] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries Download PDF
Abstract:The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex form the site of the major concentration of ironmaking in Britain during two distinct periods of the island's history; during the Roman occupation of AD43-400 and in the 16th and 17th centuries. This book surveys the evidence derived from excavation, fieldwork, documentary studies and experimental archæology carried out by the Wealden Iron Research Group. It includes chapters on geology and topography of the region, the iron industry during the successive periods of operation, and the technology of the direct and indirect ironmaking processes, together with a detailed gazetteer of sites.