How did they melt metal in the Middle Ages?

The swords commonly in use in Europe in the Middle Ages were made of steel. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, and iron heated properly over a charcoal fire becomes steel. Iron smelters roasted ore in charcoal fires, and produced wrought iron, cast iron and carbon steel, depending on the heat and makeup of the ore.

Did medieval Europe have plumbing?

Contrary to popular misconceptions there was plumbing in Medieval Europe. There were toilets in homes and castles during the Middle Ages. In medieval cities, there were small waterways used for carrying wastewater which they eventually function as sewers.

Was steel rare in medieval times?

Blacksmiths also used steel, a specific alloy of iron and carbon, to make weapons and armor. Unfortunately, the medieval blacksmith had no means of consistently making steel, and the alloy remained rare and precious throughout the Middle Ages.

How long did it take to make a sword in medieval times?

In medieval Europe, it took a standard blacksmith about a week to make a decent average steel longsword. If they were making something for their lord or king they would often spend as much as 6 months ensuring they had the ornate design perfect, but that’s about it.

Where did medieval Europe get its gold?

Gold was taken from the Rhine River, from mines at Vercellae and from Transylvania. It was brought in trade from the Atlantic coast of central Africa, and from the sources of the Egyptians. Gold from all over the world flowed into Rome.

What is the history of mining and metallurgy in medieval Europe?

Mining and metallurgy in medieval Europe. During the Middle Ages from the 5th century AD to the 16th century, Western Europe saw a blooming period for the mining industry. The first important mines here were those at Goslar in the Harz mountains, taken into commission in the tenth century. Another famous mining town is Falun in Sweden…

How did the Romans mine for minerals?

The Romans developed large scale mining methods, in particular bringing water to the minehead using aqueducts. These hydraulic mining methods weren’t restricted to the surface; they also allowed workers to follow the ore veins underground. 15th century painting, showing a miner.

How did mining contribute to the rise of Western Europe?

The rise of Western European mining industry depended, of course, closely on the increasing weight of Western Europe on the stage of world history. Although the subject has sometimes been overlooked by historians, advances in medieval mining and metallurgy enabled to a large extent the flourishing of Western European civilization.

How many silver mines were there in the 14th century?

By the early part of the 14th century there were four mines at work, South, Middle, Fershull and the Old Mine. Working of silver-bearing ores in the medieval period was in the hands of the Crown which held the prerogative on all precious metals plus copper and tin.