Holtye

Iron-work

… an iron-working settlement of 1.6 ha. [4 acres] has been identified in a field called ‘Blacklands’ on Great Cansiron Farm, 1.6 km. [1 mile] west of the London-Lewes Roman road, which is here surfaced with iron slag.” (Britannia 1971)

Nine Roman Iron-Mines Within 12 Miles of the Holtye Settlement

Broadfield
W EST S USSEX : Kingscote
TQ2634: TQ3735
W EST S USSEX : Hollybush Wood
TQ2634: TQ3935
E AST S USSEX
Whalesbeech
TQ3934
W EST S USSEX : Pippingford Park
TQ2634: TQ4431
W EST S USSEX : Hammerwood
TQ2634: TQ4438
W EST S USSEX : Oldlands
TQ2634: TQ4726
W EST S USSEX : Minepit Wood
TQ2634: TQ5523
W EST S USSEX : Castle Hill
TQ2634: TQ5528

Dr Henry Clere in 1976 estimated the production of Roman military ironwork from the area of the Weald at 550 tons per year. Armed with this information, Dr Oliver Rackham, an acknowledged authority on the historical countryside, estimated that the entire output of a 23,000 acre (c.9,300 Ha) coppice-wood would be required in order to sustain the industry.

References for Holtye

  • Historical Map and Guide – Roman Britain by the Ordnance Survey (3rd, 4th & 5th eds., 1956, 1994 & 2001);
  • Trees & Woodland in the British Landscape by Oliver Rackham (Phoenix, London, 1990) pp.40/1;
  • Britannia ii (1971) p.286.

Map References for Holtye

NGRef: TQ448382 OSMap: LR187

Roman Roads near Holtye

Possible Road: SSE (33) to Anderitvm (Pevensey, East Sussex) Probable Road: SSW (30) to Brighton (nr. Brighton & Hove, Sussex) N (11) to Titsey (Surrey)

Sites near Holtye