text: A new ironmaking process was devised in the Namur region of what is now Belgium in the 15th century.  This spread to the pays de Bray on the eastern boundary of Normandy and then to the Weald.  The new smelting process involved a blast furnace and finery forge.  It was introduced in about 1490 at Queenstock in Buxted parish. The number of ironworks increased greatly from about 1540.