I think this question will be best resolved by looking at where (and when)
there were powder mills, which ground the materials for making gunpowder.
There is a research group that works on these. The answer is probably to be
found in their publications. I doubt that there was much difficulty in the
technology spreading. I cannot be more precise as I am not a member of the
group and do not specialise on the subject.
Peter King
49, Stourbridge Road,
Hagley,
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY9 0QS
01562-720368
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-----Original Message-----
From: mining-history [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
M J Shaw
Sent: 07 February 2011 11:12
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: 18th c. gunpowder suppliers for mining in Wales and
Cornwall
Hi,
I can't add very much but according to Lewis W J, Lead Mining in Wales,
University of Wales, Cardiff, 1967 Chirk and Powis manuscripts note that in
1692 Carreghofa mine was reopened on instructions from Sir R Middleton using
gunpowder, its first use in a lead mine in Wales if not in Britain.
I also understand from a historian researching the Civil War in Shropshire
that Shrewsbury had a Royalist gunpowder factory for a short time in the
early 1640s which could perhaps have led to either technology or powder
itself getting into Wales.
Mike Shaw
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