| RefNo | CLP/9i/17/1 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Manuscript, 'A History of Iron or an Account of the manner of it's Preparation in the Forest of Deane' by Henry Powle |
| Date | [1666] |
| Description | Describes the landscape of the Forest of Dean between the Rivers Wye and Severn, then in Gloucestershire, later South Wales. Mentions deforestation to make way for ironworks, hazel trees in particular have been felled. Ironworks provide a living for most of the inhabitants. Describes the best type of iron ore in the area, 'brush ore'. Gives an account of the method used to refine the iron ore into metal, by repeated heating and cooling, calcification and beating with a hammer powered by a water wheel. Reuse of cinders from the refining process common practice now hotter furnaces in use, which was not the case when production was on a smaller scale using man-powered bellows only.
Includes a figure depicting the ironworks' furnace on page 8 (see CLP/9i/17/2).
Printed in 'Philosophical Transactions' as: 'An account of the iron-works in the Forest of Dean, Communicated by Henry Powle Esquire'.
Read to the Royal Society on 2 May 1666
Subject: Metallurgy / Industry |
| Language | English |
| Extent | 8p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| RelatedRecord | CLP/9i/17 |
| CLP/9i/17/2 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA6139 | Powle; Henry (1630 - 1692) | 1630 - 1692 |