Ironwork in Medieval Britain: An Archaeological Study [Paperback]

This monograph is the definitive survey of iron tools and other fittings in use during the period c1066 to 1540AD. Exceptional in a north-western European context for its range and coverage of artefacts from both rural and urban excavations, much of the material described here was recovered during 'rescue' projects in the 1960s and 1970s funded by the State through the Ministry of Public Works and Buildings and their successors. The text contains almost everything necessary to identify, date and understand medieval iron objects. In scope and detail there is still no published parallel and, as such, it will be essential for almost any archaeologist working in later medieval archaeology, particularly in the fields of excavation, finds study, museums and research.

Contents
Chapter 1 iron smelting and smithing
1.1 Iron smelting
1.2 Iron smithing
1.3 Bar iron and incomplete forgings
Chapter 2 metalworking tools
2.1 Anvils
2.2 Tongs
2.3 Pincers
2.4 Hammers
2.5 Flatters and set hammers
2.6 Chisels and sets
2.7 Punches and drifts
2.8 Fullers
2.9 Mandrels
2.10 Nail-heading tool
2.11 Files
2.12 Fire tools
Chapter 3 woodworking tools
3.1 Axes
3.2 Adzes
3.3 Slices
3.4 Chisels
3.5 Gouges
3.6 Auger bits
3.7 Saws
3.8 Drawknives
3.9 Shaves and spokeshaves
3.10 Planes
3.11 Files, rasps and floats
3.12 Reamers
3.13 Claw hammers
3.14 Claws
3.15 Punches
3.16 Pincers
3.17 Wedges
3.18 Compasses
Chapter 4 Stoneworking and plastering tools
4.1 Quarrying and the working of stone
4.2 Wedges
4.3 Hammers and mauls
4.4 Crows
4.5 Picks, pickaxes and mattocks
4.6 Hammer-axes
4.7 Axes
4.8 Punches
4.9 Chisels
4.10 Saws
4.11 Stone augers
4.12 Setting out tools
4.13 Hoisting equipment
4.14 Trowels
4.15 Slaters’ tools
4.16 Millstone dressing tools
4.17 Steeling and repairing tools
Chapter 5 textile manufacturing tools
5.1 Fibre preparation
5.2 Heckles
5.3 Carding combs
5.4 Weaving combs
5.5 Forceps
5.6 Tenter hooks
5.7 Harbicks and cloth shears
5.8 Needleworking tools
Chapter 6 tanning and leatherworking tools
6.1 Tanning
6.2 Currying
6.3 Leatherworking tools
Chapter 7 agricultural tools
7.1 Ploughs
7.2 Spades
7.3 Shovels with iron blades
7.4 Forks
7.5 Turf cutters
7.6 Hoes
7.7 Rakes and harrows
7.8 Billhooks
7.9 Weedhooks
7.10 Reaping hooks
7.11 Sickles
7.12 Scythes
7.13 Pitchforks
7.14 Spuds
7.15 Ox goads
7.16 Bells
Chapter 8 knives, shears and scissors
8.1 Knives
8.2 Shears
8.3 Scissors
Chapter 9 Building ironwork and furniture fittings
9.1 Structural ironwork
9.2 Door, window and furniture fittings
Chapter 10 locks and keys
10.1 Box and barrel padlocks
10.2 Padlocks operated by revolving keys
10.3 Locks
10.4 Padlock keys
10.5 Keys
10.6 Miscellaneous keys
Chapter 11 Household ironwork
11.1 The hearth
11.2 The kitchen
11.3 Lighting
11.4 Fire-steels
11.5 Buckets
11.6 Hooks
11.7 Balances
11.8 Chains, links and related fittings
11.9 Rings
11.10 Washers
11.11 Collars
Chapter 12 buckles and personal equipment
12.1 Buckles
12.2 Strap-ends
12.3 Belt slides
12.4 Belt hooks
12.5 Purse-frames
12.6 Scabbard fittings
12.7 Jew’s harps
Chapter 13 Horse equipment
13.1 Horseshoes
13.2 Oxshoes
13.3 Horseshoe and oxshoe nails
13.4 Curry-combs
13.5 Bridle bits
13.6 Bridle bosses
13.7 Harness fittings
13.8 Stirrups