Lead ore (galena) that has been broken with hammers and washed in running water to separate the heavy ore from waste rock. Medieval lead was smelted in boles, open wind-blown hearths on hilltops, which worked best with large, rich lumps of ore. England was a major lead producer in the 12th century, chiefly in the Peak District and at the 'mine of Carlisle' on Alston Moor. Lead and its dust are poisonous.
Caveats (confidence: medium)
The hand-dressing methods described are documented from later centuries and assumed to be similar in the 12th century.
Sources: nmrs.org.uk · en.wikipedia.org
Made by
- Dress lead ore by hand
- Dress lead ore at the stamps
Used to make
- Bole-smelt lead from dressed ore
- Smelt lead from dressed ore at the ore hearth