1 (Chap. 1) What sound did the hot metal make when it was plunged into the cold water?
2 (Chap. 3) Which part of the harness for the abbot's horse was made from iron?
3 (Chap. 7) What happened to the lumps of iron when they got hot?
4 (Chap. 7) What did Conan use the sledge hammer for?
5 (Chap. 7) How did Conan shape the knife from the hot metal?
Draw...!
Draw a picture of a blacksmith at work. Don't forget the fire, the anvil and the blacksmith's tools such as his hammer, his sledgehammer and pincers.
Fact File
.Iron ore was easily obtainable in many areas, such as at Drumshee. The deposits were usually in sandstone and were known as 'ore'. To make iron the ore was simply smelted (heated) in a furnace; the pieces of iron were picked out of the slag, reheated into a single lump, and then hammered into the required shape. Once the required shape of knife or other implement was produced it was 'tempered' (hardened) by being plunged into cold water. Razor-sharp cutting edges could be produced on axes, spears, knives etc..
Explore...!
Try to organise a visit to a working forge or a replica of one such as at : Geraldine Tralee, Cragganaun, County Clare Viking Dublin, Ulster History Park, Tyrone and probably anywhere that has a history or theme park.
Imagine......!
Imagine that you are a blacksmith in the 8th century. Make a list of everything you did in a day's work.
Imagine that you find an ancient knife. You hold it in your hand and suddenly you are transported back in time. Write down what happens to you.
