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Wonders of the Peak: Eldon Hole

Edited by lorna | Added on 20th July 2017

 Of the High Peak are seven wonders writ. Two fonts, two caves. One pallace, mount and pit.

De Mirabilibus Pecci, by Thomas Hobbes, published in 1636, and with an English translation in 1676.

Eldon Hole is identified as one of the ‘seven wonders of Derbyshire’ in Thomas Hobbes’ Latin poem De Mirabilibus Pecci (Wonders of the Peak), published in 1636.

This was followed in 1681 by The Wonders of the Peake, a satirical poem by Charles Cotton – who named Eldon Hole as the ‘fourth wonder of Derbyshire’.

Eldon Hole
Image courtesy of Dave Dunford, (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Both authors dwell on a gothic description of Eldon Hole. In his poem, Hobbes describes casting a stone into the hole – something that shouldn’t be done today.

This laid the stone
We drop, which circled in thick mist is thrown
Against a Rock, the Cavern groans the while,
Loud sighs are vented from the Shaken Pile.
From Rock to Rock, the sound goes download still,
Less head by us but the more heard by Hell.

Cotton, in a more joking tone, suggests that the onlooker is prone to lose their hat through their hair standing on end in terror. Unless of course they are bald.

Steep, Black and full of Horror, that who dare
Looks down into the Chasme, and keeps his Hair
From lifting off this Hat, either has none,
Or for more Modish Curl casheers his own.

So what became of any brave soul who dared enter the pothole? Hobbes recalls a story about the Lord Dudley who lowered a ‘peasant’ into the hole as far as the rope would allow, only to return raving mad and to die eight days later!

After a hundred yards he had below
I’th’ earth been drown’d, far as the Rope would do
And long enough hung by’t within the Cave,
To th’ Earl (who now impatient was to have
His answer) He’s drawn up…
…For certain ’twas he rav;d, this his wild eyes,
His paleness, trembling, all things verifies.
Where venting something none could understand,
Enthusiastick hints ne’re to be feand,
He ceasing dies after eight daies were gones.

Eldon Hole is still popular today, and used for potholing. This natural “wonder” had a profound impact on both Hobbes and Cotton, and today it still has dramatic visual effect on tourists and locals alike.

http://www.peakdistrictinformation.com/visits/eldonhole.php

www.eldonpotholeclub.org.uk

Read De Mirabilibus Pecci, by Thomas Hobbes

Read The Wonders of the Peake, by Charles Cotton

 

 

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Connections in the Landscape

You can experience Wonders of the Peak: Eldon Hole out in the Peak District or Derbyshire by visiting the location marked on the map below, or find it with the help of the Pocket Wonders app.

Connections in the Museum

The objects below can be found in the Wonders of the Peak exhibition. Each has a connection to Wonders of the Peak: Eldon Hole.

  • Exhibit 2.36: De Mirabilibus Pecci: Being the Wonders of the Peak in Darby-shire
  • Exhibit 2.37: The Wonders of the Peake by Charles Cotton, published in 1681.

Save this Wonder

Saving a Wonder adds it to your My Wonders page. You can create your very own trail featuring your saved Wonders and walk it with the help of the Pocket Wonders app.

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