A HISTORY OF MINING IN TEESDALE IN THE 16th AND 17th CENTURIES

摘要

It is generally accepted that the ores of Teesdale have been exploited for many centuries. This view is based on sparse archaeological and documentary evidence, often reported as part of investigations unrelated to mining history. Thus Coggins,1 researching the archaeology of Teesdale, discovered numerous sites with evidence of the smelting of iron ore within the dale; these ranged in date from the late prehistoric period to about AD 1200. The earliest documentary evidence occurs in the 13th century when iron ore deposits in Teesdale and Lunedale (a tributary valley of Teesdale) were leased.2 The veins of lead ore on the watershed between the Teesdale and Weardale in the vicinity or Yad Moss were known by 1379.3 When Austin and his co-workers were researching the history of Barnard Castle (the ancient monument, not the town) they discovered 14th century documents confirming mining in Teesdale and a document dated 1422 authorising a search for unlicensed lead and iron mines in the Forest of Teesdale.4 A lease of a lead mine in the Forest of Teesdale in 1550 was reported by the Rev. W. i>ell, Rector of Laithkirk, during antiquarian research aimed at recording the existence of old documents held by Teesdale families.5