Bibliography - W.I.R.G.: 2nd Series Bulletin No. 33, 2013
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Wealden Iron Research Group: Second Series Bulletin No. 33, 2013, edited by D. W. Crossley, published 2013 (Wealden Iron Research Group, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF

Field Notes, compiled by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 2013 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 33, report, pp.3-4, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF

Further investigations in the Dudwell Valley, by David Brown and Tim Smith, published 2013 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 33, article, pp.5-7, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF

Continuing the search of the Dudwell valley for signs of ironworking, this foray covered the upper reaches of the river, concentrating on the southern side of the valley, the northern side having revealed no evidence of ironworking at all. Since the bloomery site previously found in this valley had been some distance from the Dudwell close to the upper (southern) limit of the limestone, an effort was made to cover the area between the river and the interface between the limestone and the Ashdown Beds. On the ground this was revealed as a series of depressions accompanied by spoil heaps, presumably the result of mineral extraction.

Archaeological investigations on a pre-Roman Iron Age site at Whitepost Wood, nr. Holtye, Hartfield, East Sussex, by Simon Stevens, published 2013 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 33, article, pp.8-19, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF

Whitepost Wood lies between the settlements of Holtye and Blackham, at the junction of the A264 and the B2026, close to the border between East Sussex and Kent (TQ 5471 1391). Today the area is occupied by relatively dense mixed woodland, bisected by streams, which have cut deep channels into the underlying clay and sandstone geology, which lies close to the junction of the Ashdown Beds and Wadhurst Clay formations (BGS 2012) both of which are known to contain deposits of iron ore (Hodgkinson 2008a, 10).

Some operating characteristics of Wealden iron industry water-wheels, bellows and tuyere: addendum, by J. Prus, published 2013 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 33, article, pp.20-22, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF

It was argued in a previous paper (Prus 2010) that the power output of Wealden ironworks waterwheels may not have exceeded 300 Watts. The argument was based on indirect evidence from the archaeology, the available historical descriptions, minimum power requirement of the bellows and from the likely power output of two men when foot-power was used in the absence of sufficient water.
There is an additional line of evidence that establishes beyond reasonable doubt the small power outputs of some blast furnace waterwheels. This evidence comes from calculating water throughput in the relevant catchment area. A small proportion of the known blast furnace sites are sited quite close to stream sources. One of these sites (Warbleton Priory) has been studied in detail.

St Leonard's Forest minepits, by Vivienne Blandford, published 2013 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 33, article, pp.23-26, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF

An archaeological survey of St Leonard's Forest was undertaken during 2010/2011 for Forest Enterprise to review its historic environment resource and provide conservation and management recommendations to Forest Enterprise for the heritage of this area of woodland.

A Pope family fireback, by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 2013 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 33, article, pp.27-31, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF

A cast-iron fireback has been identified as bearing the arms of the Pope family of Hendall, in Buxted. It has the date 1625 and the initials SP. The fireback appears to have been cast from a one-piece wooden pattern with arms carved in low relief within a shield embellished with strapwork motifs, which were typical of the early 17th century. The styling of the initials, on each side of the shield, suggests that they were carved as part of the original pattern. However, the date, which may well have been carved as a small stamp, appears to have been added to the mould before casting as it obliterates one of the fleur-de-lys embellishments above the shield.

Hothfield Forge, Kent - a new water-powered site, by Tony Singleton, published 2013 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 33, article, pp.32-37, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF

The earliest suggestion that the construction of some ironworking facility was being contemplated in the Ashford area was in a letter of 1570 from Archbishop Parker to Queen Elizabeth, stating that Sir Richard Sackville had intended, "as I am credibly informed, in that wood (Longbeach, Westwell) . . to erect up certain iron-mills, which plague, if it come into the country, I fear it will breed much grudge and desolation".
Possibly local opposition prevented any further action being taken in the area although Nicholas Tufton, of Hothfield Place (1578-1631), purchased Ewhurst Furnace in 1623 and, on his death, it passed to his son, John (1608-1664). John married Sir Richard's great-great-granddaughter, Margaret, and it is most likely that it was he who made the decision to construct a forge at Hothfield because it is not until the 1650s that there is any documentary evidence of forging there.

Estimating 18th-century cannon boring times, costs and throughputs, by Alan F. Davies, published 2013 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 33, article, pp.38-47, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF

A previous article (Davies 2012) describes how a computer model, using information from The Fuller Letters 1728-1755, explored business performance of a mid 18th-century Wealden gun manufacturer. A linked subsidiary model provided estimated cannon boring times and costs as part of direct manufacturing costs in the main model. This showed boring process represented around 1% of direct campaign costs compared with, for example, cast metal costs of about 80%. Good technical control of boring and effective throughput helped ensure timely deliveries for proofing and debenture incomes.
This article describes development and use of this subsidiary model. It explores interactions between key variables to estimate operating limits for cannon boring times, direct labour costs and mill throughput performance. Model results are validated against several of the Fullers' Letters commenting on cannon delivery times.

Issues, emotions and achievements - managers and agents of a mid 18th-century cannon manufacturer, by Alan F. Davies, published 2013 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 33, article, p.48, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF

A previous article1 describes modelling of information in The Fuller Letters 1728 - 1755 to show how differing combinations of factors about gun demand, manufacturing and management decisions affected the performance of the Fullers' cannon business.
This study extends analysis of the Letters data, using a different modelling approach, to seek some initial insights of what it was like practically and emotionally for father and son Fuller to run their businesses under varying economic, operational and financial conditions.
Comparisons are made of how each Fuller reacted to conditions as well as the role effectiveness of their agent in influencing performance.

Index, published 2013 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 33, p.66, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507841]   Download PDF