260 
embleton: notes on ancient coal mining. 
different from any modern mining in the district. The arrangement 
and regularity of the work were peculiarly Roman, resembling in 
some measure their tesselations, or the ground plans of their baths 
and villas. 
"Whittaker, the historian, of Manchester, relates that in the 
"West Riding of Yorkshire a quantity of Roman coins were found 
among many beds of coal cinders heaped up in the adjoining fields. 
These coal cinders " were found to be slags from ancient ironworks. 
I have not yet found any notice of early coal working in Yorkshire. 
Mr. T. "Wright considers that the Shropshire coal field was discovered 
by the Romans — not far from the borders of this coal field stood the 
antient Uriconum now Wroxeter. During the excavations consider- 
able quantities of coal, both in the raw state and partially consumed, 
were found; it had been used apparently in heating the ovens. 
It is stated that coal was discovered in Begium, near Libge by a 
pilgrim in the year 1189. 
In the survey of Hugh Pudsey, Bishop of Durham, called the 
Boldon Buke, made in the year 1183, which may be called the 
Domesday Book of that county frequent mention is made of coal. 
The survey was made for the purpose of ascertaining the revenues 
of the whole bishoprick as they were then and the assized rents and 
customs as they then were and formerly have been. The following 
extracts will suffice: — 
1. A certain collier holds one toft and one croft of four acres 
and finds coal for making the iron-work of the ploughs of Goundou. 
2. The Carpenter at Wearmouth, who is an old man, has for his 
life 12 acres, for making ploughs and harrows. The Smith, 12 acres 
for the ironwork of the ploughs and harrows, and coal which he wins. 
3. In Sedgefield. — The Smith, one oxgang for the ironwork of 
the ploughs which he makes, and he finds coals. The Carpenter, 12 
acres for making and repairing the ploughs and harrows. 
1. Text. — Quidam Carbonari tenet j toftum et j croftum et iv. acras efc 
invenit curbones ad ferramenta carucarum de Coundona. 
2. Carpentarius qai senex est habit in vitatua xij. acras pro carucis et hereis 
faciendis. Faber xij. acras pro ferramcutis carucaram et carbonem quern 
invenit. 
3. Faber j bovatum pro ferramentis carucarum quae facit et carbonem 
inyenit. Carpentarius xij. acras pro carucia et hercis faciendis et reparandis. 
