Vol. XIII.] 
[Part II. 
P I{ 0 C E E D I N (i S 
OF THE 
YORKSHIRE 
GEOLOGICAL AND POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY. 
Edited by W. LOWER CARTER, M.A., F.G.S., 
AND WILLIAM CASH, F.G.S. 
A HISTORY OF THE DROPPING WELL AT KNARESBOROUGH WITH 
THE ANALYSIS OF THE WATER. BY B. A. BURRELL, F.I.C.''' 
{Uead 1st August, 1896.) 
History. 
From tlie proximity of Kuaresborougli to the ancient Brigantian 
capital of Aldborougli it is probable tliat it was a centre of popula- 
tion long before the coining of the Romans, whom there are good 
reasons for believing established a station in this district. It is 
therefore likely that the Dropping Well has been known from very 
remote times, as its remarkable petrifying qualities could not easily 
escape the notice of dwellers in the vicinity. 
The. first reference that I have been able to find is that in the 
year 1488, the celebrated Mother Shipton was born at Knaresborough, 
near the Dropping Well. 
Its character was well known in 1534, for Leland thus describes 
it (Leland's Itinerary) : — 
* The analysis of the water was communicated to the Chemical Society of 
London duiinjjj the early part of the present j^ear, and has appeared in their 
Transactions. The hi.storical portion of this paper has been written specially 
for the Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Society. 
