99 



abundance of fuel was close at hand I do not understand, but certain it is that 

 ron works existed in Herefordshire not only in their time but also in that of the 

 Domesday Survey. Thus we find that Alwintiine (Alton, near Ross) rendered 

 viginti blomasfcrri, and Marcle qiiinqidnti massas fen-i. Whether blomas and 

 massas are equivalent terms, and what amount they may signify I know not, 

 but the former word seems to be only a Latinized form of the old English 

 Bloma— a piece of smelted iron, and I think that in the Forest of Dean the old 

 ironworks are still called hhomeriex, 



I had intended to have added some remarks upon the Castles, Parks, and 

 Chvrches, of Domesdaj^ Herefordshire, and perhaps also to have strayed into 

 that very debateable land — the region of etymology, but I feel that on this 

 occasion I have trespassed sufficiently upon your attention, and that I run the 

 risk of impairing Ijy my tediousness any interest in the subject which my 

 hearers may at the outset have entertained. 



