History of English Blacksmithing
Ever since man first noticed the blooms of iron formed as a campfire heated some reddish coloured earth several thousand years ago, the blacksmith (literally a “smiter” of black metal) has sought to transform it into things of function and often great beauty. Although it was weaker than bronze, iron in its pure state was easier to produce and the raw materials to make it were more abundant. Iron ore was commonplace across England and in places such as the southern Weald where it occurred in a heavily forested area, there was a ready supply of fuel for smelting. Steel, iron with a higher carbon content, was also excellent for weaponry due to its superior hardness and ability to keep a sharpened edge so bronze was very soon displaced as the metal of choice.
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