⇐ W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 1, 1981W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 3, 1983 ⇒
Wealden Iron Research Group: Second Series Bulletin No. 2, 1982, edited by D. W. Crossley, published 1982 (Wealden Iron Research Group) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
The Chronicle Award, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, article, pp.2-6) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
Abstract:In 1981 the Wealden Iron Research Group were the winners in the competition for the BBC Chronicle Award.
Field Notes, by C. F. Tebbutt, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, report, pp.6-11) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
Content:- Furnace Wood, Buxted
- Sharpsbridge, Fletching
- Wilderness Wood, Hadlow Down
- Crump Corner, Little Horsted
- Wadhurst
- Brambletye Forge
- Darwell Revisited
- New Light on Pippingford Steel Forge
- Mayfield Forge
- Mayfield Boring Mill
- Mayfield Furnace revisited.
- Maresfield and Uckfield Bypass Forays
- Tugmore Shaw, Hartfield
- Thundersbarrow Hill
- WIRG Slag Collection
References in Recent Publications, by C. F. Tebbutt, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, note, pp.11-12) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
Oldlands Roman Bloomery, by M. and C. F. Tebbutt, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, article, pp.12-15) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
Abstract:This was probably one of the most important of the large scale 'factory type' Roman iron smelting sites of the central Weald. The working area (TQ 475267) was almost completely destroyed, early last century, when the vast slag heaps were used as a source of road-making material. The site lay astride the stream separating Maresfield and Buxted parishes, the working area being in the former and the mining in the latter. On the north-west side of the stream, the working area side, the valley is relatively flat but with some hollows and undulations. On the south-east side, now known as Mill and Furnace Woods, the ground rises rapidly and the Wadhurst Clay is exposed.
Minepit Surveys 1: Excavation of two mine pits in Minepit Wood, Rotherfield, by Giles Swift, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, article, pp.15-19) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
Abstract:As part of research into the mining of iron ore in the Weald two minepits were excavated in July 1981 in Minepit Wood (TQ 521343). The pits were excavated in order to:
1. survey and record the section of a minepit,
2. determine the feasibility of discovering the profile of minepits by systematic probing.
The two pits were chosen for their accessibility as the excavation was carried out by a mechanical digger. Both were probed before excavation using a 5m probe.
1. survey and record the section of a minepit,
2. determine the feasibility of discovering the profile of minepits by systematic probing.
The two pits were chosen for their accessibility as the excavation was carried out by a mechanical digger. Both were probed before excavation using a 5m probe.
Minepit Surveys 2: Survey of mine pits in Tugmore Shaw, Hartfield TC 458373, by Giles Swift, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, article, p.19) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
Abstract:These pits, 250 in total, occupying an area of approximately two hectares were surveyed and recorded by members of the WIRG field group during autumn and winter 1981. No system was apparent in the layout of the pits. The quite large area of undug ground between the pits may indicate that mining was taking place in woodland which needed to be preserved.
Minepit Surveys 3: Possible mines for the Roman Bloomery at Cansiron, by Giles Swift, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, article, pp.20-21) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
Abstract:Following the survey of minepits in Tugmore Shaw and considering the proximity of the Roman industrial site at Cansiron it seemed possible that the large quarries at Tugmore might be the source of iron ore for the Roman bloomeries.
Sources in the Public Record Office for the History of the Wealden Iron Industry - Part 3, by Sybil M. Jack, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, article, pp.21-30) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
Ironworks as Crown Property
If the iron mills stood on the king's own lands, one would expect to find some record of them in one or other of the royal courts. This is also true where mills stood on lands which subsequently came into royal hands and where the records of those lands, or evidence, therefore came to the king. Records relating to property which at some point had been in Crown hands as royal property may be found in the Special Collections. These include rentals and surveys, ministers accounts, court rolls, and even extents, put together from the records of a number of different exchequer departments with a blithe disregard for their archival origins, and the administrative practices which produced them. They include, for example, court rolls for John Gresham's manor of Mayfield from 1546 to the end of Edward VI's reign, but these, alas, only contain formal records of land transfers and no reference to iron mills.
If the iron mills stood on the king's own lands, one would expect to find some record of them in one or other of the royal courts. This is also true where mills stood on lands which subsequently came into royal hands and where the records of those lands, or evidence, therefore came to the king. Records relating to property which at some point had been in Crown hands as royal property may be found in the Special Collections. These include rentals and surveys, ministers accounts, court rolls, and even extents, put together from the records of a number of different exchequer departments with a blithe disregard for their archival origins, and the administrative practices which produced them. They include, for example, court rolls for John Gresham's manor of Mayfield from 1546 to the end of Edward VI's reign, but these, alas, only contain formal records of land transfers and no reference to iron mills.
The Sussex Weekly Advertiser - Some Extracts, by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, article, pp.30-36) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
Income and Production at Heathfield Ironworks 1693-1788, by Richard Saville, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, article, pp.36-62) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559] Download PDF
This analysis covers several aspects of the operation of Heathfield blast furnace and gun-boring plant from 1693 to 1788.1 It is based on papers in the Fuller family collection, lately held by the Sussex Archaeological Society and the East Sussex Record Office and now housed together in the record office in Pelham House, Lewes. Several of the papers have only recently been discovered and are discussed here for the first time. The family records have been supplemented by the details of payments for iron ordnance and shot purchased by the Board of Ordnance, the records of which are kept in the Public Record Office at Kew and Chancery Lane, London.
⇐ W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 1, 1981W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 3, 1983 ⇒