Tannery
A place where tanning takes place. Tanning is the process of preserved animal hides, by prolonged soakage in water and chemical treatments, to become leather. These buildings have large pits that held the hides for some lengths of time. Water supplies would be brought in via a leat. The treatments included oak bark off-cuts from sawmills, lasted some time and were very smelly. Creation of the leather would allow it to be shaped and last a long time - as items such as shoes and belts. The wet mouldings of leather, (called cuir bouilli), would harden when dry.
To explore more glossary entries click on a letter.