I was interested in this - as you may have gathered from an earlier posting
I have been researching someone who was assaying lead and silver in the 16th
century in the north of England. I've already presented a paper on some of
his other activities and this would seem like a good opportunity to produce
a different version more focussed on the metals/mining side. As I recall I
contacted the Mining-History list and was told that my sources were out of
date but without being told any newer ones other than from your good self!
However there is the slight issue of accessibility. I was just looking at
the atlas and it's not a drive I'd be prepared to do, based as I am in
London. I looked at the Centre's webpages and they have say they have
accommodation (albeit basic) onsite. Will this be available and what is the
best way of getting to the Centre itself? I can see it being a four day
round trip via Carlisle or Darlington!
As to the area being a major source of silver I have a 16th century
reference to silver mines being found in the late 14th century - but that
was in Derbyshire.
regards
John A W Lock
----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Claughton" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2005 7:10 PM
Subject: Northern Pennine Silver in the Late Medieval Period - a seminar, 8
April 2006
Northern Pennine Silver in the Late Medieval Period
A seminar to be held at the North Pennines Heritage Trust Centre, Nenthead,
Saturday 8 April 2006
The evidence for silver production from the northern Pennine orefield in
the late medieval period has been addressed by both historians and
geologists in recent years. Whilst there is strong documentary and
statistical support for the position that an area in the north Pennines,
encompassing parts of Cumberland (now Cumbria), Northumberland and County
Durham, was the major source of newly mined English silver in the late
medieval period, that is not backed up by the geological evidence. The
majority of the ores mined in the modern period were low in silver and
there is, as yet, no evidence for significant quantities of silver-rich
minerals at the shallow depths accessible to the medieval miner.
Although the quantity of silver produced during the 12th century can be
estimated with some confidence we do not know the precise location of the
workings. Neither can we be certain as to the nature of the ores worked,
where they were processed, nor the quantity of lead which might have been
produced as a by-product. Information is available on the organisational
structure under which mining was carried out but there is currently little
to indicate how it fitted into the social framework and upland agricultural
practice.
This seminar is being held to consider the evidence for silver production
and discuss how our understanding of mining in the area during the late
medieval period might be advanced. The intention is to hear presentations
from all those with an interest in the area - geologists, historians,
archaeologists and mine explorers.
If you are interested in contributing, please contact Dr Peter Claughton,
Blaenpant Morfil, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA66 7RE; tel. 01437
532578; e-mail [log in to unmask]
There will be no charge for the seminar itself, commencing at 10:30 - lunch
will be available in the Centre café.
To book, please contact Sheila Barker, The Rise, ALSTON, Cumbria CA9 3DB;
e-mail [log in to unmask]
______________________________________________
Dr Peter Claughton,
Blaenpant Morfil, nr. Rosebush, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire, Wales SA66 7RE.
Tel. +44 (0)1437 532578; Fax. +44 (0)1437 532921; Mobile +44 (0)7831 427599
Hon. University Fellow
School of Historical, Political and Sociological Studies (Centre for South
Western Historical Studies)
University of Exeter
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Co-owner - mining-history e-mail discussion list.
See http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/files/mining-history/ for details.
Mining History Pages - http://www.exeter.ac.uk/~pfclaugh/mhinf/
_____________________________________________
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