Iron Making in the Olden Times: as instanced in the Ancient Mines, Forges, and Furnaces of The Forest of DeanNicholls, H. G. (Henry George)
History
Iron Making in the Olden Times: as instanced in the Ancient Mines, Forges, and Furnaces of The Forest of Dean
Nicholls, H. G. (Henry George)
Iron -- History; Iron industry and trade -- England
Amongst the Patent Rolls of the 17th of this same reign (1233), is one
entitled "De Forgeis Levand," in Foresta de Dene. And, in 1255, there is
another relating to forges in the same. {17}
The issues in money to the Crown, from the mining and making of iron in
the Forest, were stated by James Treysil, Custos of the Castle and Manor
of St. Briavels, to have amounted to the following sums for the year
commencing 13 Jan., 39 Hen. III. (1255), and ending 16 Nov., 40 Hen. III.
(1256):--
pounds s. d.
22 10 0 from the king's
great forge, placed
out at farm for the
time aforesaid.
8 4 6 from foreign forges
(_forinsecariis_,
_i.e._, beyond the
limits of the
Forest, for the
same period).
4 9 3 from forges within
the Forest.
23 1 4 from the great and
little mines.
58 5 1
The king's "great forge," mentioned above, yielded, in after years, 26
pounds 19s. 3d. to the Custos, but was ere long suppressed, as
detrimental to the Forest woods. Its being named here suggests a
solution of the term "levantis," or small, generally given to the other
forges of the district. They were urged, probably, with such bellows as
may be seen carved on an ancient tombstone in Newland Churchyard.
In the year 1841, when that part of the old road leading up to the
Hawthorns from Hownal was altered, near the brook, below Rudge Farm, the
hearths of five small forges, cut out of the sandstone rock, and
curiously pitched round the bottom with small pebbles, were laid open.
An iron tube, seven or eight inches long, and one inch and a half bore,
apparently the nozzle of a pair of bellows, was also found; as well as
scores of old tobacco-pipes, as they seemed, bits of iron, much rusted,
and broken earthenware, besides a piece of silver coin. Unfortunately,
none of these articles were preserved, or they might have thrown some
light on the subject.
The Fabric Rolls of Westminster Abbey, under date 37 Hen. III. (1253),
contain the ensuing items:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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