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Leadmining was an important industry in Britain from the time of the Romans until the late nineteenth century - its remains are to be found scattered around the British Isles. From the thousands of small early mines, worked generally under medieval laws, leadmining by the eighteenth century was forced to use capital intensive methods to cope with deeper deposits and great inflows of water, including very long levels and steam engines. Lead smelters, too, had to adapt, and developed new furnaces and used spectacular flues and chimneys in otherwise wild landscapes to reduce pollution problems. By the 1880s, however, imports killed the industry - only three mines have been successful since, and all are now closed. This is the complete and detailed history of this once-vital industry.

Lynn Willies has been interested in leadmining for many years, specialising in the Peak District industry, and was awarded a PhD for his work by Leicester University. He is involved as a mining archaeological consultant both in Britain and overseas.