Metallum Martis

Metallum Martis is a 1665 book by the English metallurgist Dud Dudley. It is the earliest known reference to the use of coal in metallurgical smelting. The book is also referred to as Iron made with Pit-Coale, Sea-Coale, &c. And with the same Fuell to Melt and Fine Imperfect Mettals, And Refine perfect Mettals.

Dudley provides a geological map of Dudley Castle where he correctly identifies the order and geographic layout of the strata of coal and ironstone under survey. It is one of the earliest recorded geological maps.

The book explains that both Oliver Cromwell and Charles II of England supported attempts to smelt iron with coal. In 1660, Dudley himself applied to Charles II for a patent, claiming that he could perfect the mastery of making iron with pit-coal or sea-coal.

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