⇐ W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 12, 1992W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 14, 1994 ⇒
Wealden Iron Research Group: Second Series Bulletin No. 13, 1993, edited by D. W. Crossley, published 1993 (Wealden Iron Research Group, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Field Notes, compiled by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, report, pp.2-3, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Content:- A bloomery at Greyshott, Surrey
- A bloomery at Beckley, East Sussex
- Two bloomeries in Lingfield, Surrey
- Cinderhill bloomery, Leigh, Kent
- Fore Wood bloomery, Crowhurst, East Sussex
Henly Furnace (Lower), Wadhurst, by J. F. Berners-Price, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, article, pp.4-7, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Abstract:A three-man visit was paid to this site (TQ 601335: Cleere and Crossley No. 101) in October 1992, prior to a full-scale survey, but so many unanswered problems arose that a further visit, by a larger party, was made in November 1992.
Henly Upper Furnace, by B. K. Herbert, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, article, pp.7-8, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Abstract:After the visit to the Lower Furnace (above) the site known as Henly Upper Furnace (TQ 601338: Cleere and Crossley No. 101) was explored. The identification of the Upper bay as a pen-pond for the Lower Furnace cannot be accepted, as water flows along the tributary stream to join the Lower Furnace supply downstream from the latter's bay. Although, in theory, a leat could have been cut between the two streams, none has been found.
Notes on Kent Furnaces, by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, note, pp.8-10, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Foray to Matfield, Kent, by B. K. Herbert, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, article, pp.11-14, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Abstract:The fourth foray of the season was to the Matfield area of Kent, 31/2 miles NE of Tunbridge Wells. The object of the visit was to discover the actual site of a presumed ironworking site on land owned by Mr and Mrs Preston of Badsell Park Farm (TQ 6509 4339), previously known as Bogs Hole. The writer and others have visited the area several times over the last 20 years without making any relevant finds.
London-Lewes Roman Road, by B. K. Herbert, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, article, pp.14-20, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Abstract:At the end of the 1990-91 season of forays, about one mile of the London-Lewes Roman Road was investigated north of the Kent/Sussex county boundary (WIRG, Wealden Iron, 2nd series 12, 1992). This article continues the investigation for another two miles towards Edenbridge. The points of interest along the road are noted in parentheses, and are indicated on the maps, whilst a corresponding list of map references is given at the end of the article.
Notes on Wealden Furnaces - Board of Ordnance Records 1660-1700, by R. Rhynas Brown, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, article, pp.20-30, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Abstract:One of the most important sources of information on the founders of the Weald are the records of the Board of Ordnance, who supplied guns, ammunition and other stores to the armed forces on land and sea. The two important series, presently in the Public Record Office at Kew, are WO 51, the Bill Books, which form a virtually complete record of the payments from the Board to its suppliers and officials from 1660 onwards, and WO 47, the Minute Books which form an incomplete and unhomogenous series in the last 40 years of the seventeenth century. These record the meetings of the Board in varying detail. Although most of the references are to founders, there are several to specific furnaces, not only indicating who was using them, but also how they were used. The following extracts show such information. Career details of the founders are compiled from the Bill Books and the Minute Books. Further information on the furnaces may be found in the gazetteer of water-powered sites in Cleere H. and Crossley D., The Iron Industry of the Weald (Leicester, 1985) and on furnaces outside the Weald in Riden P., A Gazeteer of Charcoal-fired Blast Furnaces in Great Britain in use since 1660 (Cardiff, 1987).
Three Forays - Upper Stonehouse Farm Bloomery Site, Surrey, by B. K. Herbert, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, article, pp.31-33, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Abstract:Three visits have been made to the bloomery site at Upper Stonehurst Farm, Surrey (TQ 4234 4113). The aim of the forays was to test WIRG's recently-purchased resistivity meter and to determine if contrasts appeared between soil containing slag and adjacent soil free of slag. Other group members searched for bloomery furnace sites in the locality. A plan of the survey and excavation is available from WIRG.
Two Ironworking Sites, Hoathly, near Lamberhurst, by B. K. Herbert, published 1993 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 13, article, pp.34-50, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560] Download PDF
Abstract:This report brings up to date the results of a survey and many forays to the ironworking sites at Hoathly, near Lamberhurst, on the Kent/Sussex border. The earliest site, Hoathly Forge (1546 to 1667) was followed by Lamberhurst Furnace, also known as Gloucester Furnace, (1696 to 1787) and a later corn mill (1812 onwards). All these operations relied on a leat as a source of water power, the water being taken off the River Teise. It is this feature which is considered in detail. It was called the "Hoathly Ditch" and is one of the more unusual features of the Wealden iron industry still to be seen.
⇐ W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 12, 1992W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 14, 1994 ⇒