Moulboard
Plough: A plough
that produced a deep furrow and turned the earth after it had been
cut by the coulter and share. The moulboard was the device for guiding
the plough and turning the earth over. To get the right depth for
the seed the plough has to both cut and turn the earth.
Wheeled
Plough: This
plough enabled the ploughing depth to be controlled. In wet weather
the wheels became clogged up with mud and was therefore very difficult
to use. Wheeled ploughs were mainly used on sandy soils and rarely
in heavy clay areas.
Harrow:
Used for breaking up the soil and covering over seeds. The harrow
had between four and six wooden beams called 'bulls', into which were
set iron or wooden teeth. The bulls were joined together by wooden
cross beams.
Rake:
Used for spreading and collecting grass during haymaking. Those farmers
who could not afford a harrow used a rake.
Scythe:
The long-handled scythe enabled the corn to be cut while the worker
remained standing. Held with both hands the crop was reaped by a slicing
action. The scythe was mainly used for cutting grass and harvesting
barley and oats.
Sickle:
The main tool used by medieval farmers for cutting corn. The iron
blade was angled backwards from the handle to allow a smooth cutting
motion. The sickle enabled the corn to be cut without too much strain
on the wrist. The blade could either be saw-toothed or smooth-edged.
Flail:
Two pieces of wood joined together. The handle was attached to a smaller
piece called the 'striker'. The flail was used to separate the grain
from the harvested sheaves.
Forks:
Made of wood with two or three 'ironed' prongs. Used for ground preparation
and for haymaking.
Spade:
Made of wood with iron shoes to protect it from wearing out. Used
for preparing the ground, especially on the croft. Also for digging
ditches when draining land. Before planting seeds it is necessary
to breakdown the earth. Poor farmers who could not borrow or hire
a plough had to use a spade.
Axe:
Used for cutting down trees and killing animals. The heel of the axe
was used to stun the
pig before it was bled.
Shears:
A tool used to remove wool from sheep.
Winnowing
Basket: A basket
used to separate the corn kernels from the outer husks or chaff. The
threshed corn was thrown up from the basket and the breeze (sometimes
created by waving a sheet) blew the chaff from the heavier kernels.
Available
from Amazon Books (order below)
