The european iron age produced wrought iron, but not cast iron

-still preferred bronze?

-they did not have furnaces capable of burning at high enough temperatures for cast iron? i believe it is this answer
-they did not make weapons, just decorative objects for which wrought iron was sufficient?

Wrought iron is a type of iron that possesses the property of being forged and hammered while it is still at very high temperatures (2000 °F) It has a low percentage of carbon content (0.08%). These qualities made it ideal for the manufacturing of weapons.

Cast Iron has a much greater carbon content (>2%) and a higher melting temperature (>2735 °F). This made it less feasible for the technology of the age to perform.

b: to eliminate competition from other farmers