A problematic term. Before the introduction of cast steel and iron, all iron alloys had to be forged into shape, therefore the use of the term is tautological when applied to the products of the direct or bloomery process. The term only came into use with the development of the finery and the related succeeding methods of refining cast iron, therefore, it would be best if the use of term was confined to post-medieval refined cast iron.
Characteristics – puddled wrought iron – high slag content, low carbon content, fibrous nature due to rolling