Medieval Living

After looking at yesterday’s post on Medieval tile, I thought it appropriate to locate a websource for making Medieval kilns. I found several sites that discuss the history Medieval kilns, especially in Japan. I did find a site that focuses on 13th and 14th century pottery of the UK and its construction. Among their many discussions is a nice little piece on making a Medieval-style kiln using contemporary materials. Campots Arcaeoceramics give some very nice instruction on the construction of a small scale, gas-fired, stacked brick, kiln. While not necessarily Medieval, it at least captures the spirit of the Medieval kilns that dotted the countryside in the 13th century. Might build one myself (after I finish the Medieval-ish wagon that I’m building with my grandson).

I’ve been looking for a good resource about Medieval tiles. I had previously visited the Company of Artisans site, which is an orgniazation based in the UK who make replicas of Medieval tiles as an educational activity for schools and such. However, I have been hoping to find an online resource that told more about the history of Medieval tiles, especially those from the UK. Well . . . Google has a preview of a book called “The Medieval Tiles of Wales“. A Census of the Medieval Tiles of Britain from the National Museums and Gallaries of Wales, this book provides a detailed description of the tiles found throughout Wales from the 13th Century.
The text includes discussions on the methods of manufacture, raw materials, and types of tile design. Also included are drawings of the various tiles found, some 109 drawings in all. A truly wonderful resource for anyone interested in studing this fascinating aspect of Medieval life. There is a viewing limit for the text online, so be mindful of the time you spend there. I have found it available through the National Museum of Wales in paperback for 29.99 Pounds – still looking for a US source for the text. I found one listing on Amazon.com for $303.00 plus shipping – yeah, right!