Tudors in the Woods
A trip to the woods offers an opportunity to explore many of the traditional crafts of the British countryside. Woodland crafts were essential to Tudor life, providing the fire wood and charcoal that was the nations domestic and industrial fuel. Coppiced poles provided the materials that fenced many of our fields whilst the larger trees provided the timber that built homes and ships. A fascinating insight into a relaxed way of life, chatting to people tying faggots to fuel bread ovens, building clamps to make charcoal, whittling spoons and bowls, weaving baskets and making tent pegs.
Woodland was the workplace for many craftsmen
Packed and ready for work
Tree felled and trimming begins
Working together to split the log
Success!
Time for a break
Processing timber in to household goods
Smaller poles are used for fencing
Processing wood in to charcoal
-
Woodland was the workplace for many craftsmen
Wood fuelled the nation. From cooks to ship builders, a host of industries were dependant upon this raw material. This industry created a landscape, pockets of which can still be found today. -
Packed and ready for work
The day begins early with tools and food loaded upon his back, Paul heads in to the woods -
Tree felled and trimming begins
Having selected a suitable tree and taken it down with axes and saws, the newly felled timber is trimmed and cleaned. -
Working together to split the log
In the days before power saws, preparing timber was labour intensive and frequently done with axes rather than saws. -
Success!
The log is split along the grain. a second split will make a plank. -
Time for a break
having achieved four planks, Mark rests on his labour. -
Processing timber in to household goods
Back at the workshop, wood is hand-processed in to a dough trough. -
Smaller poles are used for fencing
In many parts of the country, fields were edged with fences made from coppiced poles. This ancient art also formed the basis for hedges to grow around, the remnants of which can be seen throughout the countryside today. -
Processing wood in to charcoal
Charcoal burning happened in the woods. Billets of wood were stacked according to a particular pattern and the heap covered in turf before a fire was lit inside. The skill was to control the burn, excluding just the right amount of air to produce quality charcoal and prevent it all going up in flames.