RUGA - Gleann Abhann

Introduction to Period Woodworking Tools – PRA06A01

(Created by Hrothgar Fiscabana)

Level of Content: Beginning

Estimated Length of Class: 1 - 2 hours, depending on amount of student participation, supplemental information, and hands-on demonstration.

Course Description: This class will familiarize the student with the woodworking tools available to craftsmen during the Middle Ages. The class will also provide students with information regarding differences between medieval and modern tools.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this class, students should be able to:

1. Compare and contrast the types of evidence for tool use;

2. Have familiarity with the woodworking tools available in the Middle Ages;

3. Recognize the similarities and differences between medieval tools and their modern counterparts;

Suggested Teaching Resources:

Abbott, M. 1989. Green Woodwork: Working with Wood the Natural Way. Guild of Master Craftsman Publications, Lewes, East Sussex. 207 pp.

Arwidsson, G. and G. Berg. 1999. The Mästermyr find: a Viking age tool chest from Gotland. Larson Publishing Co., Lompoc, California. 56 pp. + plates.

Dixon, P. H. 1994. The Reading Lathe: A Link with the Anglo-Saxon Migration. Cross Publishing, Newport, Isle of Wight. 95 pp.

Gardiner, J. and M. J. Allen. 2005. Before the mast: life and death aboard the Mary Rose (The archaeology of the Mary Rose volume 4). The Mary Rose Trust, Portsmouth, England. 732 pp.

Goodman, W. L. 1964. The history of woodworking tools. G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., London. 208 pp.

Halstead, G. R. 2003. The Compleat Anachronist #121: European woodworking tools 600-1600 C. E.. The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., Milpitas, California. 48 pp.

Hodges, H. 1970. Technology in the ancient world. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.

Langsner, D. 1978. Country Woodcraft. Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania. 304 pp.

Mercer, H. C. 1960. Ancient carpenters’ tools. The Bucks County Historical Society, Doylestown, Pennsylvania. 331 pp.

McGrail, S. 1982. Woodworking techniques before A.D. 1500. Archaeological Series No. 7. National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. 325 pp.

Morris, C. A. 2000. Craft, industry, and everyday life: wood and woodworking in Anglo-Scandanavian and Medieval York (The archaeology of York volume 17: the small finds, Fascicule 13). Council for British Archaeology, York. Pages 2073 – 2452.

Moxon, J. 1703 (1989 reprint). Mechanick exercises or the doctrine of handy-works. The Astragal Press, Morristown, New Jersey. 352 pp.

Underhill, R. 1981. The woodwright’s shop. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. 202 pp.

Underhill, R. 1986. The woodwright’s workbook. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. 248 pp.

Ulrich, R. B. 2007. Roman woodworking. Yale University Press, New Haven, Connecticut. 376 pp.

Wood, R. 2005. The Wooden Bowl. Stobart Davies Ltd.. 181 pp.

Updated syllabus kindly created for RUGA by Hrothgar Fiscabana, January 2008.