It is said these mines were inhabited by fairy miners called knockers, so known because of their labours in work. They were thought to be remnants of a people who inhabited Cornwall before the Celts, and were neither good enough for heaven or nor bad enough for hell.

The belief in `spirits of the mines ` is a widespread one and in many mines reports of `straunge shapes and spirites ` haunted these place. The fairies only worked rich lodes so if they were seen! Or heard from their knocking a...