Lead Mining in the 17Lead Mining in the 17thth CenturyCentury

lead mining was one of the most popular and well paid professions in England in the 17th Century. For poor families, it provided them with the possibility of a better life simply from one lucky find.

‘without lead, many thousands will be undone; that great multitude, their wives, children and families, that live merely by getting of lead ore and trading in that commodity.’ quote from the governing Derby committee during the English Civil War (1642 – 1646)

mining was hard and dangerous work, and death, illness or injury was common

poisonous lead dust, underground floods, falling rock, methane gas and lack of oxygen were just a few of the potential hazards

by the 17th century, lead was used for:◦ the roofs of public buildings◦ new houses being built by the nobility and gentry◦ all houses, including farmhouses and cottages, had windows with

lead bars◦ water storage and piping, as it was the only material that was strong

enough for these purposes◦ ammunition by every army

mining took precedence over land ownership, no land owner or farmer could interfere with lead mining

by the beginning of the 18th century, lead mining in England declined, as an intensive period of Welsh mining had commenced, and many English miners moved to Halkyn in Wales.

BibliographyBibliography ‘Derbyshire Lead Mining History’, Wikipedia [online], 2010,

accessed 30/11/2010http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derbyshire_lead_mining_history

‘Lead Mining’, Peak District National Park [online], 2008, accessed 30/11/2010http://www.peakdistrict-nationalpark.info/time/industry/leadmining.html