Medieval Forge Plans

=memosemi2 · Post by **=memosemi2** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 8:37 pm

Anyone got any ideas where I can find plans for a medieval forge circa 1430 to 1500? Friend of mine wants to try building a working replica, also needs to know what the tools and anvil would look like.

tonw · Post by **tonw** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 9:35 pm

i'f your at blore heath this weekend ours should be up and running for the last time this season we are in the ferrers camp

(red and white with a dog)

m300572 · Post by **m300572** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:35 pm

Try Googling for De Re Metallica, by Georgius Agricola which has lots of pictures of assorted late medieval industrial processes. If you can get to a good library (University with an archaeology department for example) you could try wading through Medieval Archaeology and Post Med Arch for examples of excavated forges. Could also try enquiring on the Britarch forum (Council for British Archaeology site) as there are all sorts there who have probably excavated one.

gregory23b · Post by **gregory23b** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 3:36 pm

Also Theophilus, 12th century but describes the making of a forge, tools and all. Dover about 9 quid.

guthrie · Post by **guthrie** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:00 pm

You can buy all these books, and more on Amazon, where I got them last christmas, just search for the author and title.
Agricola mostly has industrial scale forges and suchlike, especially for dealing with ore. Theophilus is more for small scale metal working and glass making for churches, and therefore doesnt really have anything like a "forge".

gregory23b · Post by **gregory23b** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:52 am

All right then, bah! looked like one to me, but I guess you are right it is elevating the term somewhat :-)