Medieval bellows

Ton Lew Lepsnaci · Aug 27, 2011

Hi,

I am writing fiction loosely situated in a medieval context. In the story, one commoner child (impoverished, orphan) uses the bellows. Someone else pointed out that bellows were expensive at the time (I am not even sure when they came in, presumably late middle ages?). He could use any instrument that can help to suck air. A straw would be too thin, but perhaps some other medieval instrument could be used, available in a household? Any suggestions by the experts?

ishtar'sgate · Aug 27, 2011

Just google 'medieval blacksmith bellows' and you'll turn up a bunch of stuff for both single and double bellows complete with pictures.

Ton Lew Lepsnaci · Aug 27, 2011

They used pipes to blow before the bellows. Bit cumbersome to explain though. Would be nice if I find a cheap household type bellow they used to keep their fires going.

Puma · Aug 27, 2011

Weren't fans used in some cultures? As in "fanning the fire". Puma

Ton Lew Lepsnaci · Aug 27, 2011

Hm but a fan wouldn't help to suck air. I'm looking for a cheap implement that can suck air, akin to bellows. If needed I can have him borrow the bellows somewhere, but it is a bit contrived in the story and he's a nice kid, not about to steal one.

frimble3 · Aug 27, 2011

When did they start using household fireplace bellows? I would have thought at about the same time as industrial (blacksmith) ones. If nothing else, a bakery would probably use one to get the fires going first thing in the morning.

Captain Scarf · Aug 27, 2011

I once saw some recreation archaeologists using a skin bag. A tube led off from the bottom. The air was let in by opening the bag and blown out by closing the top and pressing down on the bag. Very basic but it seemed to work. I think this was for medieval times or earlier.

ULTRAGOTHA · Aug 27, 2011

Ton Lew Lepsnaci said:
Hi,

I am writing fiction loosely situated in a medieval context. In the story, one commoner child (impoverished, orphan) uses the bellows. Someone else pointed out that bellows were expensive at the time (I am not even sure when they came in, presumably late middle ages?). He could use any instrument that can help to suck air. A straw would be too thin, but perhaps some other medieval instrument could be used, available in a household? Any suggestions by the experts?

When in the middle ages?

Where?

Is this a household cooking fire? If so, what kind of household?

A blacksmith's fire?

Why is the child sucking air from a fire?

That would help narrow down if bellows are affordable and could be used by your character. And also what might be used as a suitable substitute.

Ton Lew Lepsnaci · Aug 28, 2011

When in the middle ages?

Not specified, it is loosely based on the middle ages, but in a separate setting nevertheless, so any info on medieval use of bellows in households could help. If this needs to be specific, perhaps during a time the plague occurred.

Where?

In a fictional city, in a commoner's home.

Is this a household cooking fire? If so, what kind of household?

An impoverished household, two orphans live in it. One girl (teenager)
earns a living as a surgeon's apprentice. The boy is younger.

A blacksmith's fire?

No rather a fire to keep the house warm.

Why is the child sucking air from a fire?

He is experimenting on an insect that reacts to air movement, confusing it by sucking in air over the insects back towards its head, making the insect believe it is attacked from the back. It therefor
runs towards the bellows (or equivalent instrument) rather than away from it.

That would help narrow down if bellows are affordable and could be used by your character. And also what might be used as a suitable substitute.

Ton Lew Lepsnaci · Aug 28, 2011

Captain Scarf said:
I once saw some recreation archaeologists using a skin bag. A tube led off from the bottom. The air was let in by opening the bag and blown out by closing the top and pressing down on the bag. Very basic but it seemed to work. I think this was for medieval times or earlier.

Thanks, that could be a solution.

frimble3 · Aug 28, 2011

Captain Scarf said:
I once saw some recreation archaeologists using a skin bag. A tube led off from the bottom. The air was let in by opening the bag and blown out by closing the top and pressing down on the bag. Very basic but it seemed to work. I think this was for medieval times or earlier.

That description reminded me of something: Bagpipes! And there were medieval versions of them, I'm sure I've seen pictures. And, this:
http://www.visitscotland.com/guide/scotland-factfile/scottish-icons/the-bagpipes
If the Hittites had them, your fictional location/era could have them.

Ton Lew Lepsnaci · Aug 28, 2011

Interesting, can you suck in air with a bagpipes? I thought they were blown up, then pressed empty? But perhaps it's possible... by pulling open the bag.

batgirl · Aug 28, 2011

According to this page:
http://bits-n-pieces.hubpages.com/hub/bellows
the bag-and-drum bellows, ancestor of the European bellows, dates back to the 4th c. BCE.
So, fairly old, certainly pre-medieval.

-Barbara

Ton Lew Lepsnaci · Aug 28, 2011

Thanks Barbara, that settles the date. I just need to figure out if commoners would have had it...

Ton Lew Lepsnaci · Aug 28, 2011

Thanks everyone, I'll figure something out from all the above

Shakesbear · Aug 28, 2011

frimble3 said:
When did they start using household fireplace bellows? I would have thought at about the same time as industrial (blacksmith) ones. If nothing else, a bakery would probably use one to get the fires going first thing in the morning.

Not necessarily. Most bread ovens were brick built and were heated up using charcoal. The brick built bread oven in my house, c1600, would have had the coals heated in the oven. They would have been removed before the bread dough and other foodstuffs were inserted. Using bellows would have kippered the inhabitants of the house as there is no flue for the smoke to escape from.

The animal skin seems the best suggestion but the pipes would have to have been metal as wood would burn. The metal would also have to be covered with something to prevent the user from burning as they heated up.

ULTRAGOTHA · Aug 29, 2011

Oh, a feather! Once you remove the dried membrane from the center of the feather you have a small tube.

Largish feathers ought to be available even to very poor people.

Ton Lew Lepsnaci · Aug 29, 2011

ULTRAGOTHA said:
Oh, a feather! Once you remove the dried membrane from the center of the feather you have a small tube.

Largish feathers ought to be available even to very poor people.

Thanks Ultragotha. I'll use the feather. I wrote in the bellows suggested above, but even though the kids stem from a crossbow maker, once they are orphans, I imagine they'd soon be impoverished. So, a feather is probably the best choice.

ULTRAGOTHA · Aug 29, 2011

You're welcome. Have fun confusing your bug!

Medieval bellows

Ton Lew Lepsnaci

A WIP

ishtar'sgate

living in the past

Ton Lew Lepsnaci

A WIP

Puma

Retired and loving it!

Ton Lew Lepsnaci

A WIP

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

Captain Scarf

Smart-casual Ninja

ULTRAGOTHA

Merovingian Superhero

Ton Lew Lepsnaci

A WIP

Ton Lew Lepsnaci

A WIP

frimble3

Heckuva good sport

Ton Lew Lepsnaci

A WIP

batgirl

Writting broad

Ton Lew Lepsnaci

A WIP

Ton Lew Lepsnaci

A WIP

Shakesbear

knows a hawk from a handsaw

ULTRAGOTHA

Merovingian Superhero

Ton Lew Lepsnaci

A WIP

ULTRAGOTHA

Merovingian Superhero