Working Conditions & Health of Lead Miners
Information on the typical working conditions for lead miners and the subsequent impact on their health
Helen Guy
Mills, A (2011) Mining & Miners in Swaledale & Arkengarthdale. Turnbull, L (1975) History of Lead Mining in NE of England, Morrison, J (1998) Lead Mining in the Yorkshire Dales. Images copyright 2016 Beamish, The Living Museum)
The Swaledale Mining Field
Document explaining how lead ore came to present in the hills of Swaledale
Helen Guy
Raistrick, A (1975): Lead Industry of Wensleydale and Swaledale, Moorland Publishing
The Smelting Process
Information on the smelting techniques used by the mining companies to convert the mined galena ore into the final lead bars ready for sale
Helen Guy
Raistrick, A. (1975) The Smelting Mills, Gill, M. (1993) Swaledale Mines & Smelt Mills, Mills, A (2011) Miners and Mining in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, Friends of Reeth Museum
The Life of a Lead Miner
Information on what life was like for a lead miner including living conditions, religion and leisure pursuits.
Helen Guy
Raistrick, A (1975) Lead Industry of Wensleydale & Swaledale Vol 1. Moorland Publishing. Hardy, J (1998) Swaledale, Portrait of a North Yorkshire Mining Community, Frank Peters Publishing
Swaledale Mining Families
Profiles of two Swaledale mining families
Helen Guy
. M.Hartley & J,Ingilby (1982) A Dales Heritage. Dalesman Publication. Hartley, M (1950) Yorkshire Heritage: A Memoir to Ella Pontefract, Dent Publishers
Spout Gill lead mines
Historical information relating to the Spout Gill lead mines in Swaledale
Helen Guy
E. Fawcett (1939) Lead Mines in Swaledale MS, North Yorkshire County Records Office.
Old Gang and Surrender Mines
Historical information on the Old Gang and Surrender mines in Swaledale
Helen Guy
Raistrick, A (1975) Lead Industry of Wensleydale & Swaledale: Vol 1, Moorland Publishing. Fawcett, E (1939) Lead Mines in Swaledale MS, North Yorkshire County Records Office
Methods of Mining
Information on the various methods used to extract led ore from the ground
Helen Guy
Raistrick, A. (1975) The Smelting Mills. Gill, M. (1993) Swaledale Mines & Smelt Mills. Mills, A (2011) Miners and Mining in Swaledale and Arkengarthdale, Friends of Reeth Museum.
Memories of a Lead Miner
A personal account of what life was like as a lead miner by John Rutter, who was the last lead miner in Gunnerside
Helen Guy
Gunnerside 2000 Collection. Reproduced with kind permission of David Crapper
Lead Mining in the 18th Century
How the lead industry developed in Swaledale throughout the 18th century, including the bitter disputes between rival companies that resulted in the Beldi Hill trials.
Helen Guy
Rastrick, A (1975) Lead Industry of Wensleydale & Swaledale Vol 1, Moorland Publishing. Fawcett, E (circa 1939): Lead Mines in Swaledale MS, North Yorkshire County Records Office. Gill, M (1993): Swaledale Mines & Smelt Mills, Landmark Publishing
Lead mining in the 16th & 17th Century
Document detailing how the lead mining industry expanded throughout the 16th & 17th century in Swaledale.
Helen Guy
Rastrick, A (1975): Lead Industry of Wensleydale & Swaledale Vol 1, Moorland Publishing. Fawcett, E (circa 1939): Lead Mines in Swaledale MS, North Yorkshire County Records Office
Lead mining - a photographic collection
A collection of contemporary and historical photographs and images that illustrate the mines and miners and the legacy they had on the landscape of Swaledale.
Helen Guy
1: Adelaide Level ( Dave Harper) 2: Arngill mine shop (Helen Guy) 3: Beldi Hill ore hearth (Helen Guy) 4 & 5: Beldi Hill level (Simon Lowe) 6: Beldi Hill smelt mill (Helen Guy) 7: Blakethwaite peat store (Helen Guy) 8: Lowanthwaite mine (Helen Guy) 9: Sir Francis dressing floor (Helen Guy) 10: Gunnerside Gill hush (Helen Guy) 11: Old Gang (Helen Guy) 12: Sir Francis workings (Dave Harper) 13: Spence level, Old Gang (Helen Guy) 14: Sir Francis (Dave Harper) 15: Surrender mill flues (Helen Guy) 16: Merryfield (Helen Guy) 17: Setting charges ( Beamish Museum Collection) 18: Miners at Faggergill Mine (Beamish Museum Collection) 19: Mine Shop (Beamish Museum Collection)
Lane End & Keldside Mines
Historical information on the Lane End and Keldside mines in Upper Swaledale
Helen Guy
Raistrick, A (1975): Lead Industry of Wensleydale & Swaledale: Vol 1: Moorland Publishing. Fawcett, E (circa 1939): Lead Mines in Swaledale MS, North Yorkshire County Records Office.
Gunnerside Gill Lead Mines
Historical information on the lead mines of Gunnerside Gill.
Helen Guy
Raistrick, A (1975): Lead Industry of Wensleydale & Swaledale: Vol 1: Moorland Publishing. Fawcett, E (circa 1939): Lead Mines in Swaledale MS, North Yorkshire County Records Office.
Farewell
A poignant poem by John Hardy that beautifully captures the spirit, hardships, life and times of the Swaledale miners
Helen Guy
Hardy, J (1998) – Swaledale Portrait of a North Yorkshire Mining Community 1998, Frank Peters Publishing.
Early Period of Mining in Swaledale
A description of early mining activity in Swaledale before the 16th Century
Helen Guy
Rastrick, A (1975): Lead Industry of Wensleydale & Swaledale Vol 1, Moorland Publishing. Fawcett, E (circa 1939): Lead Mines in Swaledale MS. North Yorkshire County Records Office
Dressing the Ore
The processes used to prepare the extracted ore ready for smelting. This process was called 'dressing' the ore.
Helen Guy
Gill, M. (1993) Swaledale Mines & Smelt Mills. Landmark Publishing. Mills, A. (2011) Mining & Miners in Swaledale, Friends of the Swaledale Museum.
Beldi Hill Trials Press Coverage
1771 national press coverage of the Beldi Hill dispute in Swaledale.
Helen Guy
Sourced with kind permission from www.dalesgeneology.com)
Beldi Hill Trial - A Personal Account
Extracts from John Parke's journal from 1769 - 1772 describing the events in Swaledale during the disputes and trials between Lord Pomfret and Thomas Smith. John Parkes and Company had leased mining ground from Thomas Smith and this ground was the subject of the dispute.
Helen Guy
Fawcett, E (circa 1939) Lead Mining MS, North Yorkshire County Records Office.
Beldi Hill Trial
An account of the famous Beldi Hill Trial between Lord Pomfret and Thomas Smith over mining and land ownership rights. The trials ran from 1769 - 1772
Helen Guy
Raistrick, A (1975): Lead Industry of Wensleydale & Swaledale Vol 1, Moorland Publishing
Gill, M (1993): Swaledale Mines & Smelt Mills, Landmark Publishing