This Work "_Metallum Martis_," first printed in the year 1665, and
written by "_Dud Dudley_," a member of the ancient and honourable
family of the Lords of Dudley, is most curious in its composition and
most valuable to the antiquarian, and all engaged in the manufacture
of iron and steel, and all their varied products, showing the
indefatigable efforts of this enterprising artificer in metals, "_Dud
Dudley_," to make iron by the liberal use of coal, so abundant in
this neighbourhood. The noble forests of timber in England were fast
disappearing from our hills and valleys to meet the demand of household
fuel; but the increased demand, yearly becoming greater, for the
purpose of smelting iron ore with charcoal, became a matter of very
serious consideration to all classes, for the King and Parliament
were loudly called upon to prevent the total destruction of our noble
forests. Acts of Parliament were ultimately passed for that object,
for Symon Sturtevant, in his "Metallica," says "That there was then in
the 12th year of King James in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales,
800 furnaces, forges, or iron mills _making iron with charcole_." Dud
Dudley says "Now what loads of wood or charcole is spent in Great
Britain and Ireland annually? In one furnace, that makes 15 tuns per
week of pig iron for 40 weeks: I shall give you the table, and leave
you to judge of the rest of the furnaces."
| Charcole | Wood
+------------+-----------
15 tun per week spends | 30 loads | 60 loads
For 40 weeks it spends | 1200 loads | 2400 loads
Also for one forge that makes _three tuns of bar iron weekly_ for 50
weeks.
| Charcole | Wood
+------------+-----------
For making 3 tuns per week of | |
bar iron | 9 loads | 18 loads
Per annum | 450 loads | 900 loads
"Yet," he says, "by this barring of iron _alone_ with pit-cole, by his
invention 30,000 loads of wood have been preserved for the general
good, which otherwayes must have been had and consumed."
This early pioneer of our _now_ immense coal and iron trade was no mean
uneducated inventor, for our "Dud Dudley" was the natural son of Lord
Dudley, of Dudley Castle. In the pedigree of the family his mother is
described as 'Elizabeth, daughter of William Tomlinson, of Dudley,
concubine of Edward, Lord Dudley.' His eldest brother is referred to
as 'Robert Dudley, Squire, of Netherton Hall,' and we are told that
all the children, though born out of wedlock, held a good position in
the neighbourhood, and were regarded with respect. Dud is frequently
alluded to in the 'History of Staffordshire,' by Plot, who always
described him as the 'Worshipful Dud Dudley.' He was held in great
respect and esteem by all contemporaries, except rival ironmasters
and political opponents. He was the special favourite of the Earl,
his father, who appointed him manager of his ironworks. From Baliol
College, Oxford, he was sent for by the Earl, in 1619, to take charge
of an iron furnace and two forges in the Pensnett Chase. It was here
that, finding difficulty on account of the exhaustion of the Woodlands,
in producing large quantities of iron by the old process, that he
commenced experiments for carrying out a method of manufacture which
had been unsuccessfully attempted by Simon Sturtevant, John Rouenzon,
and others. After patient efforts, Dud Dudley succeeded in making
iron with pit coal, and he carried on the manufacture not only at
Pensnett, but also at Cradley, from whence, having obtained a patent
of James I., he was enabled to send up to the Tower, by the King's
command, a quantity of new iron for trial. After experiments had been
made with it, and its qualities fairly tested, it was pronounced 'good
merchantable iron.' It is appropriate that the locality where this
great problem was practically solved by Dud Dudley, should be visited
by the members of the Iron and Steel Institute, and it may not be an
uninteresting fact to mention that it was near the spot at Cradley
where Dud Dudley's works stood, that the late lamented Noah Hingley,
Esq., J.P., commenced his remarkable career. There, we understand, it
was that he began life as a working chain maker; there he afterwards
rented a few chain shops, and, making progress, ultimately opened an
iron-work, and became one of the largest employers of labour in South
Staffordshire. The works at Cradley, which were under the management
of Dud Dudley, were swept away by a flood about two months after
they had been in operation. Notwithstanding the great loss he had
sustained, he repaired his furnaces and forges, and, according to his
own account, 'went on with his invention cheerfully, and made annually
great store of iron, good and merchantable, and sold it unto divers
men, at £12 per ton.' He adds: 'I also made all sorts of cast-iron
wares, as brewing cisterns, pots, mortars, &c., better and cheaper than
any yet made in these nations with charcoal.' He further states that
he was able to make 5 or 7 tons of iron a week, and to sell his pig
iron at £4 per ton, and his bar iron £12 per ton, whilst his charcoal
iron cost in pigs £6 or £7, and in bars £15 or £18. He met, however,
with strong opposition, and was at length ousted from his works at
Cradley. With his wonted energy, however, he set up a pit-coal furnace
at Himley, which is also situate near Dudley. Subsequently he erected
large furnaces at the adjoining village of Sedgley, but these were
scarcely finished when we learn that 'a mob of rioters, instigated
by the charcoal ironmasters, broke in upon them, cut in pieces the
new bellows, destroyed the machinery, and laid the results of that
deep-laid ingenuity and persevering industry in ruins, and from that
time forward Dudley was allowed no rest nor peace. He was attacked by
mobs, worried by lawsuits, and eventually overwhelmed with debts.'
To disengage his involved affairs, he married his grand-daughter
and heiress, Frances, to Humble Ward, the only son of William Ward
(jeweller to the Queen of Charles I.), who was descended from an
ancient family of that name in Norfolk, by which means the estates came
into the possession of the present noble family."
It is well known to the antiquarian and searcher after "curiosities"
that _the basement foundations_ of Dud Dudley's iron works can be
distinctly traced, laying betwixt Dudley and Pensnett, only two miles
apart, and the four ancient forges not far from the inventors dwelling,
known as Greens-forge, Swine-forge, Heath-forge, and Cradeley-forge,
were known to put in practice his invention early in 1600, and
continued making iron with coal after his death.
This persecuted and ill-requited gentleman, like many other inventors
of great and distinguished renown, "lived before his time;" his
prophetic soul saw the dawn of other days; and the incentives which men
of science and wealth put into the development of iron making, culled
from the genius this man foreshadowed, has resulted in such marvellous
proportions as to pass man's understanding, and make the coal and
iron trade the foremost industry in the land. That this ingenious and
scientific son of Tubal Cain was a persecuted, misrepresented, and
illused man, amidst all the blessings he was trying to shower upon
his fellow men, cannot be denied; and we now leave the forerunner of
the Black Country's wealth and greatness to tell the story of his own
doings, in his own language.
_Dudley, 1881._
TO THE =Kings Most Sacred Majesty=.
_May it Please Your Majesty_,
_All Your Kingdoms, Dominions, and Territories, being the happy
Subjects of Your Cares, are therefore the proper Objects of Your
View:_ Great Brittain, O Great Brittain, _Your Principal Island, here
Humbly Presents her self unto Your Royall Presence, View and Care; be
Pleased, to interpret this her Obsequiousness, to be her Duty; for
since Your Majesties safe Return, has already Graciously dayned, to
View, and often to review her Shipings, Stores, Armories, Ordnance,
Magazines, and Trade; Vouchsafe, Great Sir,_ Great Brittain _Your Royal
Patronage, and once more, at some one hour, or two, to Grace it with
Your Auspicious Aspect, in this Mite, with all Humility Presented, By,_
A Faithful Servant, of your Sacred
Fathers; and a Loyal Sufferer,
for your Sacred Majesty;
And by Pattent-Servant,
_Dud Dudley_.
TO THE =honourable, his Majesties Great Council=, _The High Court of
Parliament_.
Your Predecessors in former Ages, had both serious Consultations, and
Considerations, before they made those many Wholesome and Good Lawes,
for the Preservation of Wood, and Timber, of this Kingdome, 1 _Eliz._
15. 23 _Eliz._ 5. 27 _Eliz._ 19. 28 _Eliz._ 3. 5. in whose dayes, and
since in King _James's_ Reign, Ships in most Ports and Rivers of this
Kingdom, (_Thames_ Excepted) might have been built, for forty Shillings
_per_ Tunn; but now they can hardly be built for treble the value,
wood and timber is so much decayed; therefore men of War, Trade of
Merchants, of Fishing, of Navigating, unto Plantations will decay, if
not timely prevented, which is hoped will be one of Your Principallest
Cares, seeing our Enemies have carried Timber from _England_, and the
Iron Works have much exhausted it; For the prevention of so great a
Consumption, almost incureable: First is to put the Wholesome Laws in
Execution; Secondly, not to permit Timber to be Exported. Thirdly, to
animate, as King _James_ did, and also Prince _Henry_, the making of
Iron in _England_, _Scotland_, and _Wales_ with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, and
Peate; which if the Authour (who had a Pattent for it) had not been
opposed, after he had made much good Iron with Pit-cole, it had long
since, by his Inventions, been fully perfected. The Fourth is, to stop
all the Exportation of Pit-cole, and Sea-cole (paying His Majesties
Duty) if the Cole be in a fit place, to make Iron therewith. Fifthly,
That the Authour, or his Agents may have power to preserve many
thousand Tuns of Pit-cole, which are annually destroyed, for ever in
_England_, _Scotland_, and _Wales_, which are fit to make Iron; and the
Authour in this Treatise hath demonstrated it, being moved with pitty,
seeing his Native Country decaying, Humbly offers but his Judgement,
and leaves the grave consideration thereof, to your Learned, and more
serious Consultations and Actings, praying that you may animate good
things, and new inventions, that may bring unto His Sacred Majesty,
and all Loyal Subjects, Safety, Strength, Wealth, and Honour by our
Ships, and Men of War, Fishing, Navigation, and Merchandizing, unto
Foreign Nations; but more especially, to and from the Territories
of _Great Brittain_, our _North Indies_ abounding in _Mines_ and
_Minerals_, that they that are of the Honourable Corporations of
_Mines Royal_, and _Batteries_, or any others, would lay in a Common,
or Joynt Stock, fully to set the _Mines_ at Work, by imploying our
idle, and burdensom supernumerary people therein, _Iron_, _Tin_,
_Lead_, _Copper_, _Quicksilver_, _Silver_ and _Gold_, besides many
other _Minerals_, and _Marcesit's_, _Lapis Calaminaris_, _Antimonie_,
_Maganes_, &c. also many _Mineral Earths_ and _Precious Stones_: Did
I call _Great Brittain_ our _North Indies_? give me leave to repeat a
passage till further satisfaction, of King _Josina_ of _Scotland_, a
great Phylosopher, Physitian, and Herbalist, living before Christ, 161
years, at which time, two venerable Phylosophers and Priests passing
from _Portugall_ to _Athens_, their Ship and Company, and Marriners,
all perished at _Ros_, they only saved; after refreshing, and good
Entertainment, the King desired of them what they understood by their
Science of the Nature of the Ground of _Scotland_; after deliberate
advisement, said, _There was more Riches and Profit to be gotten within
the Veins of the Earth of_ Scotland, _then above, for the winning of
Mines and Metals; They knew this by the Influence of the Heavens_: This
you may see in the Chronicles of _Scotland_.
My Dear Master, our Sacred Martyr, _Charles_ the First of ever Blessed
Memory, did animate the Authour by Granting him a Pattent, _Anno_ 14 of
his Reign, for the making of Iron, and Melting, Smelting, Extracting,
Refining, and Reducing all Mines and Metals with Pit-cole, Sea-cole,
Peat and Turf, which was Extinct, and Obstructed by reason of the War;
and had not this unnatural and unparallel'd War been, His late Sacred
Majesty himself had set at work many of His Mines, and much good had
been produced to _Great Brittain_ before this time.
At present, the Authour is in good hope, and incessantly prayes, that
the Mines be set at Work in his dayes, by the Honourable Corporation
of the Mines Royal, for he verily believeth the time to be near, when
the Omnipotent God, before he Judge the World in Fire, will shew His
Omnipotency unto the _Nations_, by revealing of the wonderful and
incredible things of Nature, of which the Learned do believe very many
to be, in the Mineral Kingdome, by working of Mines and Fusion of
Metals, gotten by honest labour under ground, profitable to Man, and
Acceptable with God.
I might here speak somewhat of Superiour Planets producing Metal,
_Saturn_, Lead: _Iupiter_, Tin: _Mars_, Iron: but these abound in
_Great Brittain_, so do the Inferiour Planets produce _Venus_, Copper:
_Mercury_, Quicksilver: _Luna_, Silver.
If God permit me health and leasure from Sutes and Troubles, not onely
to write of them, but also the manner of the Melting, Extracting,
Refining, and Reducing of them with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat, &c.
In the interim to let you know that _Great Brittain_ abounds with
_Copper Mines_, much neglected, yet of great use for Ordnance, at
Land, and also at Seas, and for the making of Brass, with our _Lapis
Calaminaris_, so much Exported by the _Dutch_, which doth hinder our
manufactories of Brass, and causes the _Dutch_ and _Swedes_ to raise
the price of Copper and Brass ever since our small loss at Sea by the
_Dutch_. _Mercury_, Quicksilver is not wanting, but few Artists have
made any Experiment of that Mine in this Kingdome.
_Luna_, Silver doth abound in _Great Britain_, especially a very
Rich Vein, Rake, or Fibrey thereof was wrought at _Binnyhills_ near
_Lithgo_ in _Scotland_, in the Authors dayes, some part of which he
hath, is malleable Silver in the Oare or Mine, yet neglected. And so
are many of our richest Mines in _England_ and _Wales_, &c. the cause
is conceived to be the want of a general and joynt-stock for the
imploying our idle people in getting, and working of the Copper, and
Silver Mines. Of the Planet _Sol_, Gold: I may not be silent, whose
Golden, Glorious, Pure, Sulphurious, Percing, Spirit, communicating
his virtue Mineral unto all things in the Mineral Kingdom, as well as
to the Animal and Vegetable Kingdom, whose pure influence producing
Gold, caused the poor indigent people of _Scotland_, which the Author
did see, _Anno_ 37, at _Shortlough_, six men to dig and carry with
wheele-barrows, the common Earth or Mould unto Rivolets remote, out
of which those men did wash Gold-grains, as good as in the sand of
the Rivers, in which Rivers many have gotten Gold, and seen grains
of _Sol_, near one ounce weight, both in the _Low-lands_, and in the
_High-lands_; also he hath seen Gold gotten in _England_, but not so
plentiful as in _Scotland_: For Sir _James Hope_, _An._ 1654, brought
from _Scotland_, Baggs of Gold Grains unto _Cromwell_, some of which
Grains were very large, and as fine as any Gold in the world, that
is in Mines; thus I came to see the Baggs, taking a view of the
_Low-lands_ and _High-lands_ of _Scotland_, _Anno_ 37, in which year, I
spent the whole Summer (in opening of Mines, and making of discoveries)
was at Sir _James Hopes_ Lead Hills, near which I got Gold, and he
coming to _London_, imployed Captain _David Acheson_, a Refiner, whom
I met with in _Scotland_, _Anno_ 37, to find me out; when I came unto
Sir _James Hope_, dwelling in _White Hall_, he produced the Baggs unto
me, and poured the Gold out upon a board, in which was one large piece
of Gold, which had to it adjoyning a large piece of white spar very
transparent, which Cap. _David Acheson_ yet living at _Edenburgh_ saw;
but I would never Act with Sir _James Hope_, hoping of these times to
see good things acted, for I believe God is about to reveal many of
his secrets, unto his Israel in this latter Age, which made me not to
Answer the Letter of Sir _James Hope_, as followeth.
Edinburgh 26. June 1654.
Sir, _If I had found the opportunity before my parting, I
purposed to have been a sutor to you, and I perswade myself
you are so kinde and generously disposed, that you would have
answered my desire, and therefore also even at this distance
adventure to offer it: And it is that you would confer upon me
one breviate of your journey through the North of_ Scotland;
_as to the discovery of Minerals upon some account, and at
first view, this may seem as unreasonable of me desired, as
improbable that you should grant it, but the circumstance of
time and persons and substance of the things considered, I am
not altogether out of hope of it; onely, I shall say, if you
condescend to me in this, though it be more in satisfaction,
to my curiosity, then for any designe I have upon the matter;
yet you shall singularly oblige me to indeavour and be ready as
opportunity shall offor, to expresse my thankfulnesse, in what
way you will prescribe, that is in the power of_;
your very affectionate brother
and Servant, _James Hope_.
_This Sir_ James Hope, _was a Judge at the City of_ Edinburgh, _and by_
Cromwell _made Lord Marshall of_ Scotland.
My hope now is, that the Honourable and ingenious Corporation of the
Mines Royall, will set the Mines at work, that my Inventions, in which
I have spent much time and charge, in melting, smelting, extracting,
refining and reducing of Mines and Mettals with Pitcoal, Seacoal and
Peats; and have made with the same Fuell many hundred Tuns of good
Merchantable Iron, into cast works and Bars; may by the inventioner be
enjoyed according to the Act of Parliament, 21. _Jacob._ Seeing the
Authour can make it appear he hath been much obstructed by lawsuits and
the Wars hitherto: Desires that his Talent of Undoubted truths (may
not be buried) for the general good, but be brought to light, after
all the sad Sufferings of the Authour, whereby he may add unto his new
Inventions, what he conceives fit to be done: That not onely this so
exhausted Kingdome may enjoy the benefit thereof, but also _Scotland_
and _Wales_ which abound with Coals, Iron, Stone and Mines of all
sorts, minerals and precious Stones, &c.
Yet from _England's_ Granery, _Scotland_ making no Iron, and other
Territories, have their thorow supply, not onely of Iron, but of Iron
manufactories many, so hath _Wales_; yet might _Scotland_ and _Wales_
not onely supply themselves, but supply His Sacred Majesties other
Territories with Iron and Iron Wares and Steel also, by Iron and Steel
made with Pit-coale, Sea-coale and Peat; and thereby be helpfull unto
themselves and _England_, and all Plantations of his Majesties, on this
side and beyond the line.
To the Reader, especially of _England, Scotland and Wales_.
_The injury and prejudice done unto me & to this Island, my native
Country for the making of Iron, in cast works and bars with Pitcoal,
Seacoal, Peat and Turff, and with the like feuell, to melt, extract,
refine and reduce all Mines and mettals, moved me in the negligence of
better Wits and Pens to apologise for it: in this ensuing Treatise,
and believe me Reader, twas no private, or politick designe in my
Invention, but meer zeal, becomming an honest man_, Patriæ, parentibus
and amicis; _that Engaged me (after many others failed) in these
Inventions, for the general good and preservation of Wood and Timber,
which_,
Eque pauperibus, locupletibus eque,
Eque neglectis pueris senibusq; nocébit;
_Therefore it concerns His Sacred Majesty, his high Court of
Parliament, all his Counsels, Mariners, Merchants, Royall and Loyall
Subjects (the destruction of Wood and Timber) to lay it to heart, and
helping hands, upon fit occasions, in these so laudable Inventions
of making Iron & melting of mines and refyning of them with Pitcole,
Seacole, Peat and Turf; for the preservation of Wood and Timber for
maintenance of Navigation, men of War, the Fishing and Merchants'
Trade, which is the greatest strength of Great Brittain, and all other
his Majesties Kingdomes and Territories, whose defence and offence next
under God, consists by his sacred Majesties assisting care, and view
of his men of War, Ships, experienced marrinours, merchants, Ordinance
of Copper, Bras and Iron Armories, Steels and Irons of all sorts; both
of bars, squares, and cast works and which ought and may be suplyed
from_ Scotland _and_ Wales _by Iron, Copper and Brasse, and made there,
with Pitcole, Seacole and Peat; and which abound there and in_ England,
_also_. _In_ Cornwall, Devonshire, Sommerset, Glocester, Stafford,
Darby, York, Lancaster, Westmerland, Cumberand; _are many Copper Mines:
so is there in_ Pembrook, Carmarthin, Merionith _and_ Denbyshires,
_also there are very many rich Coper mines in very many places in_
Scotland, _at_ Sterling, _at_ Dumfad _and many other places well known,
unto the Authour_,
Dud Dudley.
[Illustration]
Dud Dudley's Metallum Martis.
That _Great Brittain_ with her Men of Warr, Fleets and Shiping, have
had in all Ages, and in these latter Ages, as great Success at Seas as
any people whatsoever in the Universe, cannot modestly be denied in
88, overthrowing that Invincible Armado so long a preparing, and since
other Navies also; and whose Armadoes, Navies, Armes, and Men, have
been a Terrour to other Nations; nay her own Grand Magazins, are the
very Granary from whence all His Sacred Majesties Kingdomes, Dominions,
and Territories both in the _East_ and _West-Indies_, on this side and
beyond the Line, they have their whole and thorow supply of Shiping,
Men, Armes, Food and Rayment, and more then can be, from any Kingdom of
the Christian World.
Now if Wood and Timber should decay still, and fail, the greatest
Strength of _Great Brittain_, her Ships, Mariners, Merchants, Fishings,
and His Majesties Navies, and Men of War, for our Defence, and Offence
would fail us, which before, and since 88 made his Sacred Majestyes
Prodecessors, Queen _Elizabeth_, and her Great Council, the then
Parliament, to make Lawes for the preservation of _Wood_ and _Timber_,
especially near any Navigable River; _1 Eliz. 15._ _27 Eliz. 19._
_28 Eliz. 3. 5._ _23 Eliz. 5._ All which Laws, and others, for the
Preservation of Wood and Timber are still in force, but not duly
Executed; also King _James_ His Sacred Majesties Grand-father, and
_Prince Henry_ for the Preservation of Wood and Timber in this Island,
did in the _9th_ Year of His Reign, Grant His Letters Pattents of
Priviledge unto _Simon Sturtevant_, Esq.; for 31 years, for the making
of Iron with Pit-cole and Sea-cole for the preservation of Wood and
Timber of _Great Brittain_ so greatly then consumed by Ironworks; This
Invention was by King _James's_ command to be at large put in Print,
which Book did contain near a quire of paper in quarto, called _Simon
Sturtevant_ His _Metallica_. _Anno. 1612. May 22._ Printed by _George
Eld, Cum Privllegio_.
After _Simon Sturtevant_ could not perform his making of Iron with
Pit-cole or Sea-cole, according unto his Engagement, King _James_, and
Prince _Henry_, caused him to render up his Pattent, and a new Pattent
was Granted unto _John Rovenson_, Esq. who also was Enjoyned to write
a Book of his Inventions, called, _Rovenson's Mettallica_. Printed for
_Thomas Thorp, Cum Privilegio_: _May 15, An. 1613_.
After _John Rovenson_, Esq. had often failed with his Inventions, and
great undertakings, _Gombleton_, Esq. a Servant of Queen _Ann's_,
undertook (by Pattent) to perform the Invention of making of Iron with
Pit-cole, and Sea-cole; but he being as confident of his Invention as
others, did Erect his works at _Lambeth_, which the Author view'd;
and _Gumbleton_ failing, the Learned and Ingenious Doctor _Iorden_
of _Baths_, the Authors Acquaintance, and sundry others obtained
Patteuts for the making of Iron, and melting of Mines with Pit-cole and
Sea-cole, for the preservation of Wood and Timber all which Inventions
and endeavours to Effect and Perfect the said Works, have been by many
heretofore well known, to have worthily attempted the said Invention,
though with fruitless success.
Having seen many of their failings, I held it my Duty to endeavour, if
it were possible to Effect and Perfect so laudable, and beneficial, and
also so much desired Inventions, as the making of Iron into cast Works
and Bars; and also the Melting, Extracting, Refining and Reducing all
sorts of Mines, Minerals and Metals, with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat, and
Turf, for the preservation of wood and timber, so much exhausted by
Iron Works of late.
Having former knowledge and delight in Iron Works of my Fathers, when
I was but a Youth; afterwards at 20 years Old, was I fetched from
_Oxford_, then of _Bayliol_ Colledge, _Anno 1619_, to look and manage
3 Iron Works of my Fathers, 1 Furnace, and 2 Forges, in the Chase of
_Pensnet_, in _Worcester-shire_, but Wood and Charcole, growing then
scant, and Pit-coles, in great quantities abounding near the Furnace,
did induce me to alter my Furnace, and to attempt by my new Invention,
the making of Iron with Pit-cole, assuring my self in my Invention, the
loss to me could not be greater then others, nor so great, although
my success should prove fruitless; But I found such success at first
tryal animated me, for at my tryal or blast, I made iron to profit with
Pitcole, and found _Facere est addere Inventioni_.
After I had made a second blast and tryal, the fesibility of making
Iron with Pit-cole and Sea-cole, I found by my new Invention, the
quality to be good and profitable, but the quantity did not exceed
above 3 Tuns _per_ week: After I had brought my Invention unto some
perfection, and profitable, doubted not in the future to have advanced
my Invention, to make quantity also.
Immediately after my second tryal, I wrote unto my Father what I
had done, and withall, desired him to obtain a Pattent for it from
King _James_ of Blessed Memory; the Answer to which Letter I shall
insert, only to shew the forwardness of King _James_, in this his
much animating the Inventor, as he did both _Simon Sturtevant_, _John
Rovenson_, Doctor _Iordanie_ and others; The Letter follows;
Son _Dudley_,
_The Kings Majesty being at_ New-Market, _I sent_ Parkes
_thither on Saturday to some Friends of mine, to move the Kings
Majesty for my Pattent, which be coming on Sunday Morning, in
the Afternoon His Majesty sent a Warrant to Master Atturney to
dispatch my Pattent, for the which I am infinitely bound unto
His Majesty, that it pleased Him of His Great Grace and Favour
to dispatch it so soon; I have been this night with Master
Atturney, who will make hast for me; God Bless you, and Commend
me unto all my Friends_:
Your Loving Father,
_Edward Dudley_.
_March 10._ 1619.
This _Richard Parkes_, à Parks-house Esq; in the Letter before
mentioned, was the Authors Brother in Law, which did about 1 year after
the _Pattent_ was granted, carry for the Author much good Merchantable
Iron unto the _Tower_, by King _Iames's_ command to be tryed by all
Artists, and they did very well approve of the Iron, and the said
_Parkshouse_ had a fowling Gun there made of Pit-cole Iron, with
his name gilt upon the Gun, which gun was taken from him by Colonel
_Levison_ Governour of _Dudley_ Castle, and never restored.
The said _Richard Parkshouse's_ son my Nephew, _Edward Parkshouse_, the
5th. of _January_ 1664, pressed me much to put Pen unto Paper, to shew
what I have done in the invention of making of Iron with Pit-coale and
Seacoal, not unknown unto this Country, and to my brother _Folliott_,
Esq; and my Nephew _Parkshouse_ Esq; and to my Kinsman Master _Francis
Dingley_, to whom I intend to leave the Secrets of my Inventions,
notwithstanding all my sad sufferings from time to time this forty
Years in the invention, my Sufferings in the War, and my Estate sold
for my Loyalty; and also my sad sufferings and obstructions since his
Sacred Majesties happy Restauration many wayes; and also upon sundry
and many references, at the Authors very great charge, pains, and time
spent of Foure years in his aged dayes, for the general good, by his
inventions for the preservation of Great _Brittain's_ Wood and Timber.
Now let me shew some Reasons that induced me to undertake these
Inventions, after the many failings of others, well knowing that
withing Ten miles of _Dudley_ Castle there to be neer 20000. Smiths of
all sorts, and many Iron works at that time, within that Circle decayed
for want of Wood (yet formerly a mighty Woodland Country.)
Secondly, The Lord _Dudley's_ Woods and Works decayed, but Pitcoal and
Iron, Stone or Mines abounding, upon his Lands, but of little Use.
Thirdly, Because most of the Coale Mines in these parts, as well as
upon the Lord _Dudley's_ lands, are Coals, Ten, Eleven, and Twelve
yards thick; the top or the uppermost Cole, or vein, gotten upon the
superficies of this Globe or Earth, in open works.
Fourthly, Under this great thickness of Coal, is very many sorts of
Iron, Stone, Mines, in the Earth Clay or Stone earth, like bats in all
four yards thick; also under these Iron mines is severall yards thick
of Coals, but of these in an other place more convenient.
Fifthly, Knowing that when the Colliers are forced to sinck Pits for
getting of ten yards thick of Cole one third Part of the Coles or more,
that be gotten under the ground, being small are of little or of no use
in that inland Country nor is it worth the drawing out of the Pits,
unlesse it might be made use of by making of Iron therewith into cast
works or Bars.
Sixthly, Then knowing that if there could be any use made of the
smal-coale that are of little Use, then would they be drawn out of the
Pits, which coles produceth often times great prejudice unto the Owners
of the works and the work it self, and also unto the Colliers, who
casting of the smalcoles together, which compelling necessity enforcing
the Colliers so to do, for two causes; one is to raise them to cut
down the ten yards thicknesse of coles drawing onely the bigger sort
of cole, not regarding the lesser or small cole, which will bring no
money; saying, _He that liveth longest let him fetch fire further_:
Next, these Colliers must cast these coles, and sleek or drosse out
of their wayes, which sulphurious small cole and crouded moyst sleek
heat naturally, and kindles in the middle of those great heaps; often
fals the cole-works on Fire, and flaming out of the Pits, and continue
burning like _Ætna_ in _Cicily_, or _Hecla_ in the _Indies_.
Yet when these loose Sulphurious compost of cole and sleek, being
consumed in processe of time, the Fire decayes, yet notwithstanding the
Fire hath continued in some Pits many years; yet colliers have gotten
coles again, in those same Pits, the Fire not penitrating the solid and
firme wall of coles, because _Pabulum ignis est Aer_, the Ayre could
not penetrate, but passe by it in the loose cole and sleek; for comming
into those pits afterwards, I have beheld the very blows of Pikes or
tools that got the coles there formerly. Also from these Sulphurious
heaps, mixed with Iron, Stone (for out of many of the same pits is
gotten much Iron, Stone, Mines); the Fires heating vast qualities of
Water, passing thorow these Soughs or Adits, becometh as hot as the
Bath at _Bathe_, and more healing and sovereign even for old Ulcers and
Sores; because many of these Baths doe proceed not onely from common
Sulphur and vitriol of _Mars_, but also from _Solar_ sulphur in this
Iron stone; I hope, _Filii Artis_, will excuse my digesion from the
making of Iron with Pitcole, Seacole, Peat or Turff, and the melting
of mines and mettals and refining of the same, with the like fuell:
the first Pattent being granted by King _James_ for 31, Years in the
19th year of his Reign upon just and true information, that the Authour
had the year before made many Tuns of Iron with Pitcole at a Furnace
or Iron-work, in the Chase of _Pensnet_, in the County of _Worcester_,
besides cast Iron Works of sundry sorts with Pitcoles; and also at two
Forges or Iron Mills, called, _Cradly Forges_, fined the said Iron
into Merchantable good Bar Iron; But the year following, the grant or
Pattent for making of Iron with Pitcole or Seacole, There was so great
a Flood, by rain, to this day, called the great _May-day-Flood_, that
it not onely ruinated the Authours Iron works, and inventions; but also
many other mens Iron works: and at a market Town called _Sturbridge_ in
_Commitate Wigorniæ_, although the Authour sent with speed to preserve
the people from drowning; one resolute man was carried from the Bridge
there in the day time, and the nether part of the Town was so deep
in Water that the people had much ado to preserve their lives in the
uppermost rooms in their Houses.
My Yron works and inventions thus demolished, to the joy of many Iron
masters, whose works scaped the Flood and who had often disparaged
the Authours Inventions, because the Authour sold good Iron cheaper
then they could afford it; and which induced many of the Iron
masters to complain unto King _Iames_, averring that the iron was
not Merchantable; As soon as the Author had repaired his works and
inventions (to his no small charge) they so far prevailed with King
_Iames_, that the Authour was commanded with all speed possible, to
send all sorts of Bar iron up to the Tower of _London_, fit for making
of Musquets, Carbines and Iron for great Bolts, fit for Shipping, which
Iron being so tryed by Artists and Smiths, that the iron masters and
Iron-mongers were all silenced until 21th of King _Iames_: At the
then Parliament, all Monopolies were made _Null_, and diverse of the
Iron masters endeavouring to bring the invention of making Iron with
Pitcole, Seacole, Peat and Turff, within the compasse of a _Monopoly_;
but the Lord _Dudley_ and the Authour did prevaile; yet the Pattent was
limited to continue but Fourteen years; after which Act the Authour
went on with his invention cheerfully, and made annually great store of
Iron, good and merchantable, and sold it unto diverse men yet living at
Twelve pounds _per_ Tun; I also made all sorts of cast iron Wares, as
Brewing-Cysterns, Pots, Morters, and better and cheaper than any yet
were made in these Nations, with _Charcoles_; Some of which are extant
to be seen by any man (at the Authors House in the City of _Worcester_)
that desire to be satisfied of the truth in the Invention.
Afterwards, The Author was outed of his works and inventions before
mentioned by the Iron-masters and others wrongfully, over long to
relate: yet being unwilling his Inventions (having undergone much
charge and pains therein) should fall to the ground, and be buried
in him, made him to set forward his Invention again, at a Furnace
called, _Himley Furnace_ in the County of _Stafford_, where he made
much Iron with Pit-cole, but wanting a Forge to make it into bars, was
constrained for want of Stock to sell the Pig-Iron unto the Charcole
Iron-masters, who did him much prejudice, not onely in detaining his
stock, but also disparaging the Iron; _Himley_ Furnace being Rented out
unto Charcole Iron-Masters.
The Authour Erected a new large Furnace on purpose, 27 foot square, all
of stone for his new Invention, at a place called _Hasco Bridge_, in
the parish of _Sedgley_, and County of _Stafford_; the Bellows of which
Furnace were larger then ordinary Bellows are, in which work he made 7
Tuns of Iron _per_ week, the greatest quantity of Pit-cole-Iron that
ever yet was made in _Great Brittain_; near which Furnace, the Author
discovered many new Cole-mines 10 yards thick, and Iron-mine under it,
according to other Cole-works; which Cole-works being brought unto
perfection, the Author was by force thrown out of them, and the Bellows
of his new Furnace and Invention, by riotous persons cut in pieces, to
his no small prejudice, and loss of his Invention of making of Iron
with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, &c. So that being with Law-Suites, and Riots,
wearied and disabled to prosecute his Art and Invention at present,
even untill the first Pattent was extinct: Notwithstanding the Author
his sad Sufferings, Imprisonments wrongfully for several thousand pound
in the _Counter_ in _London_, yet did obtaine a new Pattent, dated the
2_d_ of _May_, _Anno_ 14. _Caroli Primi_ of ever Blessed Memory, not
only for the making of Iron into cast-works, and bars, but also for the
Melting, Extracting, Refining and Reducing of all Mines, Minerals and
Mettals, with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat, and Turf, for the preservation
of Wood and Timber of this Island; into which Pattent, the Author, for
the better support and management of his Invention, so much opposed
formerly at the Court, at the Parliament, and at the Law, took in
_David Ramsey_, Esquire, Resident at the Court; Sir _George Horsey_, at
the Parliament; _Roger Foulke_, Esquire, a Counsellour of the _Temple_,
and an Ingenious Man; and also an Iron Master, my Neighbour, and one
who did well know my former Sufferings, and what I had done in the
Invention of making of Iron with Pit-cole, &c.
All which said Patentees, Articled the 11_th_ of _Iune_ following,
the Grant not only to pay the Authour all the charges of passing
the Pattent laid down by him, but also to lay in for a common and
joynt-stock each man of the four, one hundred pounds, and so from time
to time, what more stock any three of the Pattentees should think fit
to be laid in for the making of Iron into cast works and bars, and
likewise for the Melting, Extracting, Refining and Reducing of all
Mines, Minerals, and Metals, with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat and Turf,
which Articles are yet extant.
Now let me without offence insert the opposition we all had, by means
of powerfull Iron-Masters, with Sir _Philibeard Vernat_, a _Dutch_
Man, and Captain _Whitmore_, who pretended much unto his late Sacred
Majesty, but performed not their undertaking, which caused the Author,
and his Partners thus to Petition.
_To the King's Most Excellent Majesty_:
The Humble Petition of Sir _George Horsey_ Knight; _David
Ramsey_, _Roger Foulke_, and _Dud Dudley_, Esquires:
Humbly Sheweth,
_That whereas Your Petitioners being called before the
Right Honourable, the Lord Keeper by your Majesties
Appointment, touching the making of Iron with Pit-cole,
Sea-cole, Peat and Turf, for which they have Your Majesties
Pattent; and seeing that Sir_ Philibeard Vernat, _and
Captain_ Whitmore, _who are not Inventors, have obtained
a Pattent also for the same; yet before their Pattent
Granted_, Sir Philibeard _was ordered at Council-board,
according to his Great Undertaking, to perfect his Great
Undertaking and Invention within Two Years, and there hath
been near Three Years passed, and yet have made little
or no Iron: still he Opposeth Your Petitioners, and doth
neither benefit himself, but hinders Your Majesty, and the
Kingdom_.
The reference unto the Petition followeth; At the Court at
_Greenwich, May 20, 1638_. His Majesty is pleased to refer
this Petition to Master Atturney, and Master Solicitor
General, to call the Petitioners before them, and to compose
the differences between them; (if they can) or otherwise, to
certifie his Majesty their opinions therein:
_Sir Sidney Mountegue was then_
_Master of the Requests_.
But Sir _Philibeard Vernat_ and Captain _Whitmore_ never appeared any
more for their Invention.
Not long after the Wars came on, and caused my partners to desist,
since which they are all dead, but the Author, and his Estate (for his
Loyalty unto his late Sacred Majesty) and Master, (as by the Additional
Act of Parliament may appear) was totally sold.
Yet nevertheless, I still endeavoured not to bury my Tallent, took in
two Partners into my inventions, _Walter Stevens_ of _Bristow_ Linnen
Draper, and _John Ston_ of the same City Merchant, after the Authour
had begun to Erect a new work for the Inventions aforesaid, near
_Bristow_, _Anno_ 51, and there we three Partners had in stock near
700l. but they not only cunningly drew me into Bond, entered upon my
Stock and Work, unto this day detained it, but also did unjustly enter
Staple Actions in _Bristow_ of great value against me, because I was
of the Kings Party; unto the great prejudice of my Inventions and
Proceedings, my Pattent being then almost extinct: for which, and my
Stock, am I forced to Sue them in Chancery.
In the interim of my proceedings, _Cromwell_, and the then Parliament,
granted a Pattent, and an Act of Parliament unto Captain _Buck_ of
_Hampton Road_, for the making of Iron with Pit-cole and Sea-cole;
_Cromwell_, and many of his Officers were Partners, as Major _Wildman_
and others; many Doctors of Physick, and Merchants, who set up diverse
and sundry Works, and Furnaces at a vast charge, in the Forrest
of _Dean_, and after they had spent much in their Invention and
Experiments, which was done in spacious Wind-Furnaces, and also in
Potts of Glass-house Clay; and failing afterwards, got unto them an
Ingenious Glass-Maker, Master _Edward Dagney_ an _Italian_ then living
in _Bristow_, who after he had made many Potts, for that purpose went
with them into the Forrest of _Dean_, and built for the said Captain
_Buck_ and his Partners, a new Furnace, and made therein many and
sundry Experiments and Tryals for the making of Iron with Pit-cole and
Sea-cole, &c. But he failing, and his Potts being all broken, he did
return to _Bristow_ frustrate of his Expectation; but further promising
to come again, and make more Experiments; at which time Master _John
Williams_, Master _Dagneys_, Master of the Glass-House was then drawn
in to be a Partner for 300_l._ deposited, and most of it spent, the
said _Williams_ and _Dagney_ hearing that the Authour had knowledge in
the making of Iron with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, &c. they from Cap. Buck,
and the other Partners importuned the Author, who was at that time in
great danger by the Parliament, (being a Colonel of the Kings Party) to
go along with them into the Forrest of _Dean_, which at that time durst
not deny; Coming thither, I observed their manner of working, and found
it impossible, that the said _Edward Dagney_ by his Invention should
make any Iron with Pit-cole or Sea-cole, in Pots to profit: I continued
with them till all their Potts and Inventions failed; at every Dinner
and Supper, Captain _Buck_, Captain _Robins_, Doctor _Ivie_, Doctor
_Fowler_ and others, would aske the Author why he was so confident that
Iron in quantity could not be made by their new Inventions? I found it
a difficult thing to disswade the Partners from their way, so confident
were they to perform the making of iron with Pit-cole or Sea-cole to
profit; that they desired me to come again a second time into the
Forrest to see it Effected; But at that time, I saw their failings also.
Yet nevertheless Captain _Buck_, and his Partners Erected new Works
at the City of _Bristow_, in which they did fail as much as in their
former Inventions; but Major _Wildman_, more barbarous to me then a
Wildman, although a Minister bought the Authors Estate, near 200_l._
_per Annum_, intending to compell from the Author his Inventions of
making of Iron with Pit-cole; but afterwards passed my Estate unto two
Barbarous Brokers of _London_, that pulled down the Authors two Mantion
Houses; sold 500 Timber Trees off his Land, and to this day are his
Houses unrepaired.
_Anno_ 1665. Captain _Buck_ and his Partners wearied of their
Invention, desisting, _An._ 1656. Captain _John Copley_ from _Cromwell_
obtained another Pattent for the making of Iron with Pit-cole and
Sea-cole; He and his Partners set up their Works, at the Cole-Works
near _Bristow_, and endeavour'd by Engeneers assistance to get his
Bellows to be blown, at, or near the Pits of Cole, with which Engines
the Work could not be performed: But the Author coming to see the said
Works, and after many Discourses with Captain _Copley_, his former
Acquaintance, told him plainly, if his Bellows could have been blown
by those Engines, yet I feared he could not make Iron with Pit-cole or
Sea-cole; he seemed discontented; whereupon, and without those Engines
I made his Bellows to be blown feisibly, as by the Note under his hand
appears (the first Note) followeth;
1656. _December_ 30.
Memorandum, _The day and year above-written, I_ John Copley
_of_ London, _Gent. Do acknowledge, that after the Expence
of diverse Hundred Pounds to Engineers, for the making of
my Bellows to blow, for the making of Iron with Pit-cole or
Sea-cole near_ Bristow, _and near the Forrest of_ Kings-wood;
_that_ Dud Dudley _Esq. did perform the blowing of the said
Bellows at the Works or Pits abovesaid; a very feisible and
plausable way, that one man may blow them with pleasure the
space of an hour or two; and this I do acknouledge to be
performed with a very small charge, and without any money paid
to him for the same Invention_:
John Copley.
Captain _John Copley_ thus failing in his Inventions, _An._ 1657, he
went into _Ireland_, and all men now desisting from the Inventions of
making of Iron with Pit-cole and Sea-cole: The Author, _Anno_ 1660.
being 61. years of Age, and moved with pitty, and seeing no man able
to perform the Mastery of making of Iron with Pit-cole or Sea-cole,
immediately upon his Sacred Majesties happy Restauration, the same
day he Landed, Petitioned that he might be restored to his place, and
his Pattent obstructed, revived for the making of Iron with Pit-cole,
Sea-cole, Peat and Turf, into cast Works and Bars, and for the
Melting, Extracting, Refining and Reducing of all Mines, Mettals and
Minerals, with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, Peat and Turf; which said Laudable
Invention, the Author was and is unwilling should fall to the ground
and dye with him, neither is the Mistery, or Mastery of the Invention
Effected and Perfected by any man known unto the Authour, as yet,
either in _England_, _Scotland_ or _Wales_; all which three abound with
Pit-cole or Sea-cole, and do over-much furnish other Kingdomes many
with Pit-cole and Sea-cole, when they might make far better use of it
themselves, especially _Scotland_ and _Wales_, both for the making of
Iron into cast Works and Bars; and also for the making of Steel, and
Melting, Extracting, and Refining of Lead, Tin, Iron, Gold, Copper,
Quicksilver, and Silver, with Pit-cole, and Sea-cole.
I shall not trouble you with the Petition, or my reasons and desires
that were annexed unto it, for the making of Iron, and Melting of
Mines, &c. with Pit-cole, &c. they are over long to relate, only
the Reference to them is thus; (after my first Petition was lost, I
Petitioned again.)
_At the Court at_ Whiteh. 22. of _June_ 1663.
His Majesty is graciously pleased to refer the consideration
of this Petition to Master Atturney, and Solicitor General, or
to either of them, together with the Petitioners Reasons and
Desires hereunto annexed; and they, or either of them, are to
inform, and certifie His Majesty, what they, or either of them
in their Judgements respectively conceive fit for His Majesty
to do concerning the Petitioners Humble Request, and then His
Majesty will declare his further pleasure.
Robert Mason,
_Master of Requests_.
After Master Atturney, and Sollicitor General would do nothing upon
the Reference; the Author Petitioned His Sacred Majesty sitting at the
Council-Board, for the Renewing of his Pattent, for making of Iron,
and Melting, of Mines with Pit-cole, Sea-cole, often obstructed; the
reference to that Petition followeth.
_At the Court at_ Whitehall, _July_ 25. 1660.
Upon reading of a Petition this day at the Board, being the
same in terminis with this above-written, which his Majesty
was graciously pleased by a Reference under the hand of Doctor
_Mason_, one of the Masters of the Requests, to refer to the
consideration of Master Atturney, and Master Solicitor General,
together with the Petitioners Reasons and Desires thereunto
annexed, to the Consideration of the Lords, and others
Commissioners for the Treasury, who upon Examination of the
particulars, are to give such order thereupon, as they shall
find most proper for His Majesties Service.
_Sir_ Edward Walker _was_
_Clark to the Council, and_
_Garter King at Armes_.
The Author, during the Lords Commissioners their time, could get no
Order upon his Reference; But his Petition was left, with the now Right
Honourable, the Lord Treasurer, to take or grant further order therein,
but the Author hath gotten hitherto no order.
Therefore compelling necessity doth constrain (having prosecuted his
Petition hitherto) him to desist from his Inventions, in which he hath
taken more pains, care and charge, then any man, to perfect his new
Invention in these Kingdomes.
Although the Author had not as yet so fully perfected or raised his
invention, to the quantity of Charcole Iron Furnaces, yet the Authors
quantity being but seven Tuns _per_ week at the most, together with
the quality of his Iron made with Pit-cole and Sea-cole, hath the
most eminent Triplicity of Iron of all that can be desired in any new
Invention.