Waltham Abbey History

Royal Gunpowder Mills

The Royal GunPower mills started life as fulling mill for cloth production which was set up by the monks of the Abbey. The first gunpowder production was thought to be put into place because of the 2nd Dutch War where gunpowder was in high demand but short on supply. Ralph Hudson bought the mills in 1665, he used saltpetre made in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

One of the first examples in the 18th century of an industrialised factory system, although not often recognised, was The Waltham Abbey Mills.

Quick Facts

• Established in 17th century
• Crown Aquired in 1787
• over 300 years of operation.