At the foot of the incredible Mam Tor is Odin Mine, marked by a NT sign but off limits on my last visit due to F&M (April 2001).
It struck me as quite significant at the time because my visit was just after finding out that Odin was unique amongst norse gods because he got his power from the Mother Earth. Mam Tor, and at her foot, Odin Mine. Hmmm.
And after reading up on the Odin Stone on Orkney (and indeed Yggdrasilbury), it now makes even more sense; Mam Tor and Odin Mine couldn't have been named such by the (later) invading Vikings, for the Vikings had abandoned the 'Mother Earth' completely. There's a good chance, therefore, that their relationship could be based in antiquity.
Could this be another example of the 'norse' myths being eternally played out in the British Landscape?
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According to "Myths & Legends of Cornwall" (C.Weatherhill & P.Devereux), the mines on Rosewall Hill were haunted by Knockers (weird sprite-like things). A miner called Trenwith formed a partnership with the Knockers, and benefitted from their expertise at mining ore. Trenwith would leave 1/10th of properly dressed ore as payment to the Knockers. This relationship continued after Trenwith's death via his son, who one day sought to cheat the Knockers. The lode then failed, he became a drunk who lost all his father's money and ended up a beggar.
Sounds like a lovely metaphor for earth-lights, respect for the land and other weirdness to me.
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