⇐ W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 22, 2002W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 24, 2004 ⇒
Wealden Iron Research Group: Second Series Bulletin No. 23, 2003, edited by D. W. Crossley, published 2003 (Wealden Iron Research Group, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506570] Download PDF
Field Notes, compiled by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 2003 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 23, report, pp.2-6, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506570] Download PDF
Content:- Stumbleholm Bloomery, Ifield, West Sussex
- Park Wood, Burwash, East Sussex
- Two bloomery sites in Mayfield, East Sussex
- A bloomery in Heathfield, East Sussex
- A medieval bloomery in Ticehurst, East Sussex
- A blast furnace at Netherfield, Battle, East Sussex: a new water-powered site identified
- A bloomery site in Crawley, West Sussex
- Iron Plat furnace and forge, Buxted, East Sussex
The Excavation of a First-Century Ironworks at Turners Green, Sussex, 1968-70, by Wilfrid Beswick, published 2003 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 23, article, pp.6-21, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506570] Download PDF
Abstract:Remains of ironmaking include a complete works with five domed bloomery furnaces of unusual design and a stone-built sill supporting sections for both bloom refining and smith's work. Traces exist of three outlying furnaces and an ore-roasting site. C14 determination of the charcoal fuel provides a date within the first half of the first century AD which is consistent with the type of furnace. The operation is thought to span a period from before to after the Claudian conquest.
Crookford Furnace: not Cotchford but Worth, by B. G. Awty, published 2003 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 23, article, pp.21-23, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506570] Download PDF
"John Trew is an Able Man", by Michael Chrimes, published 2003 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 23, article, pp.23-26, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506570] Download PDF
Abstract:The establishment of an engineering profession in the British Isles is normally dated to the late eighteenth century, more or less coeval with the career of John Smeaton, who was probably the first person to call himself a 'civil engineer'. Smeaton generally referred to himself simply as 'engineer', a term which can be traced back to medieval times, but which was generally applied to military practitioners, a possible reason for Smeaton to introduce the prefix 'civil'.
There had, of course, been a number of engineering works carried out before Smeaton's time, notably the drainage of the Fens in the seventeenth century, but also river improvements, turnpike roads, small harbour schemes, bridges, and developments in mining and metallurgy. These works were carried out by a whole range of people - military engineers, master masons, 'water carpenters', millwrights, coal viewers, mathematical practitioners. Aside from a few well-known foreign engineers like Cornelius Vermuyden there are few examples of full-time engineers in anything like the modern sense. One possible candidate is the Tudor gentleman, John Trew.
There had, of course, been a number of engineering works carried out before Smeaton's time, notably the drainage of the Fens in the seventeenth century, but also river improvements, turnpike roads, small harbour schemes, bridges, and developments in mining and metallurgy. These works were carried out by a whole range of people - military engineers, master masons, 'water carpenters', millwrights, coal viewers, mathematical practitioners. Aside from a few well-known foreign engineers like Cornelius Vermuyden there are few examples of full-time engineers in anything like the modern sense. One possible candidate is the Tudor gentleman, John Trew.
Scrag Oak (Snape) Furnace, by Paul Collins, published 2003 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 23, article, pp.27-28, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506570] Download PDF
The date of construction of the furnace at Scrag Oak is not known. Previously known documentary references date from 1629 when John Barham of Shoesmiths was indicted for carrying iron sows from Snape and Coushopley furnaces to Verredge Forge, without laying down cinders, in the summer of 1628.
The surviving papers from a case heard in Chancery around 1621 add further insights into the operations at the furnace in the early 17th century. The case relates to a dispute between John Barham of Scrag Oak and his brother David. The original complaint by David Barham seems not to have survived, but John's reply and more interestingly the questions put to witnesses and their responses do. From these it seems that the furnace was for 'some many years' occupied by William Barham, the elder brother of John and David. William had died intestate at the end of 1616 and administration was granted to John and David in 1617.
The surviving papers from a case heard in Chancery around 1621 add further insights into the operations at the furnace in the early 17th century. The case relates to a dispute between John Barham of Scrag Oak and his brother David. The original complaint by David Barham seems not to have survived, but John's reply and more interestingly the questions put to witnesses and their responses do. From these it seems that the furnace was for 'some many years' occupied by William Barham, the elder brother of John and David. William had died intestate at the end of 1616 and administration was granted to John and David in 1617.
Index, published 2003 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 23, pp.29-31, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506570] Download PDF
⇐ W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 22, 2002W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 24, 2004 ⇒