ABSTRACT
This chapter contains brief histories of five ironworks—Coalbrook-dale, Dowlais, Cyfarthfa, Silverdale in North Staffordshire, and Haigh in Lancashire. Since they have been based upon the business records available 1 there is naturally a difference in the emphasis given to the several aspects of industrial development. The examples of Haigh and Silverdale show the establishment of small-scale enterprise and some of the many factors accounting for the failure of these ironworks to grow into industrial giants like Cyfarthfa and Carron.
