Burnemuth yare, Burnemuhyare in 1244. 'Burnan' is Old English for a stream and 'mutha' means mouth. Burnmouth probably refers to the burn which descends from Old Walker to the Tyne at the boundary of Long Benton and Wallsend parishes. The fishery was given by Roger de Merlay to Newminster Abbey.
SITEASS
Piscaria is the legal right of fishing in certain waters. Free fishery meant the right to fish from royal grant. Several fishery meant the right to fish derived from ownership of soil. Common of fishery meant the right of fishing in another man's water. Common fishery was the right of all to fish in public waters. A piscaria was also a physical fishing establishment where fish are caught - a fish weir (gurges). The tidal part of the Tyne from Crawcrook to Tynemouth was divided lengthwise into three portions. That on the north side belonged to Northumberland, that to the south to the See of Durham, and the middle part was common and free to all. There were constant disputes concerning illegal expansion of weirs. The Prior of Tynemouth was accused of impeding the passage of ships to Newcastle with his weirs. After 1540 and the end of monastic power the burgesses of Newcastle took down the weirs. Fish were caught at the weirs by boat and net or by fish traps attached to weirs. Stall nets were stationary nets laid across a river, especially for catching sprats. Stilche ropes and draught ropes (for pulling or dragging) were also used. Sweep nets had one end fixed at the shore and the other taken out in a boat, rowed around in a half circle then brought back to shore entrapping fish. A stake net was attached to stakes driven into the river bed. These couldn't be used in deep water. Kiddles were a v-shaped series of stakes with a large net placed at the apex. They were left permanently in place until the stakes decayed or were destroyed by the tide. The deepening of the River Tyne by the Tyne Commissioners in the late C19 started the end of the Tyne fishing industry {V.E. Watts 1988; W. Yarrell, 1835-9, A History of British Fishes, Vol 2, p 23}.
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
SITEDESC
Burnemuth yare, Burnemuhyare in 1244. 'Burnan' is Old English for a stream and 'mutha' means mouth. Burnmouth probably refers to the burn which descends from Old Walker to the Tyne at the boundary of Long Benton and Wallsend parishes. The fishery was given by Roger de Merlay to Newminster Abbey. Dated C13th.
Site Name
Walker, Burnemuth yare
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12293
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
V.E. Watts, 1988, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names III in Durham Archaeological Journal, 4, 1988, pp 53-59; Chartularium Abbathiae de Novo Monasterio, Surtees Society 66, 1986, p 15
YEAR1
2009
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
14
District
N Tyneside
Easting
306
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ36NW
MONTH1
04
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
658
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Wallsend
Description
Bondewyar in 1128, Bondeniare in 1195, yare c.1225, Bondewe yare. 'Bonda' is Old English for a peasant landowner. This was a weir or yare belonging to the monks of Durham in Wallsend.
SITEASS
Piscaria is the legal right of fishing in certain waters. Free fishery meant the right to fish from royal grant. Several fishery meant the right to fish derived from ownership of soil. Common of fishery meant the right of fishing in another man's water. Common fishery was the right of all to fish in public waters. A piscaria was also a physical fishing establishment where fish are caught - a fish weir (gurges). The tidal part of the Tyne from Crawcrook to Tynemouth was divided lengthwise into three portions. That on the north side belonged to Northumberland, that to the south to the See of Durham, and the middle part was common and free to all. There were constant disputes concerning illegal expansion of weirs. The Prior of Tynemouth was accused of impeding the passage of ships to Newcastle with his weirs. After 1540 and the end of monastic power the burgesses of Newcastle took down the weirs. Fish were caught at the weirs by boat and net or by fish traps attached to weirs. Stall nets were stationary nets laid across a river, especially for catching sprats. Stilche ropes and draught ropes (for pulling or dragging) were also used. Sweep nets had one end fixed at the shore and the other taken out in a boat, rowed around in a half circle then brought back to shore entrapping fish. A stake net was attached to stakes driven into the river bed. These couldn't be used in deep water. Kiddles were a v-shaped series of stakes with a large net placed at the apex. They were left permanently in place until the stakes decayed or were destroyed by the tide. The deepening of the River Tyne by the Tyne Commissioners in the late C19 started the end of the Tyne fishing industry {V.E. Watts 1988; W. Yarrell, 1835-9, A History of British Fishes, Vol 2, p 23}.
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
SITEDESC
Bondewyar in 1128, Bondeniare in 1195, yare c.1225, Bondewe yare. 'Bonda' is Old English for a peasant landowner. This was a weir or yare belonging to the monks of Durham in Wallsend. Dated C12th.
Site Name
Wallsend, Bondewyar fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12292
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
V.E. Watts, 1988, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names III in Durham Archaeological Journal, 4, 1988, pp 53-59
YEAR1
2009
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
14
District
Newcastle
Easting
176
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ16SE
MONTH1
04
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
645
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Newburn
Description
A fishery is recorded at Newburn from 1500 to c.1700. It extended from the west boundary of the manor of Newburn to the east boundary adjoining Sugley grounds at Lemington. The rent of the Newburn and part of Crumbwells fisheries in 1851 was £100.
SITEASS
Piscaria is the legal right of fishing in certain waters. Free fishery meant the right to fish from royal grant. Several fishery meant the right to fish derived from ownership of soil. Common of fishery meant the right of fishing in another man's water. Common fishery was the right of all to fish in public waters. A piscaria was also a physical fishing establishment where fish are caught - a fish weir (gurges). The tidal part of the Tyne from Crawcrook to Tynemouth was divided lengthwise into three portions. That on the north side belonged to Northumberland, that to the south to the See of Durham, and the middle part was common and free to all. There were constant disputes concerning illegal expansion of weirs. The Prior of Tynemouth was accused of impeding the passage of ships to Newcastle with his weirs. After 1540 and the end of monastic power the burgesses of Newcastle took down the weirs. Fish were caught at the weirs by boat and net or by fish traps attached to weirs. Stall nets were stationary nets laid across a river, especially for catching sprats. Stilche ropes and draught ropes (for pulling or dragging) were also used. Sweep nets had one end fixed at the shore and the other taken out in a boat, rowed around in a half circle then brought back to shore entrapping fish. A stake net was attached to stakes driven into the river bed. These couldn't be used in deep water. Kiddles were a v-shaped series of stakes with a large net placed at the apex. They were left permanently in place until the stakes decayed or were destroyed by the tide. The deepening of the River Tyne by the Tyne Commissioners in the late C19 started the end of the Tyne fishing industry {V.E. Watts 1988; W. Yarrell, 1835-9, A History of British Fishes, Vol 2, p 23}.
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
SITEDESC
A fishery is recorded at Newburn from 1500 to c.1700. It extended from the west boundary of the manor of Newburn to the east boundary adjoining Sugley grounds at Lemington. The rent of the Newburn and part of Crumbwells fisheries in 1851 was £100. Dated C16th.
Site Name
Black Stones Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12291
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
V.E. Watts, 1988, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names III in Durham Archaeological Journal, 4, 1988, pp 53-59; M.H. Dodds, 1930, A History of Northumberland, Vol. XIII, pp. 146-52
YEAR1
2009
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
14
District
Newcastle
Easting
296
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
04
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
633
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Walker
Description
Bill Point was a prominent projection of land cut away in the 1880s to improve navigation. 'Bile' is Old English for a bill, beak, headland or narrow promontory. The annual rent in 1851 was £7.
SITEASS
Piscaria is the legal right of fishing in certain waters. Free fishery meant the right to fish from royal grant. Several fishery meant the right to fish derived from ownership of soil. Common of fishery meant the right of fishing in another man's water. Common fishery was the right of all to fish in public waters. A piscaria was also a physical fishing establishment where fish are caught - a fish weir (gurges). The tidal part of the Tyne from Crawcrook to Tynemouth was divided lengthwise into three portions. That on the north side belonged to Northumberland, that to the south to the See of Durham, and the middle part was common and free to all. There were constant disputes concerning illegal expansion of weirs. The Prior of Tynemouth was accused of impeding the passage of ships to Newcastle with his weirs. After 1540 and the end of monastic power the burgesses of Newcastle took down the weirs. Fish were caught at the weirs by boat and net or by fish traps attached to weirs. Stall nets were stationary nets laid across a river, especially for catching sprats. Stilche ropes and draught ropes (for pulling or dragging) were also used. Sweep nets had one end fixed at the shore and the other taken out in a boat, rowed around in a half circle then brought back to shore entrapping fish. A stake net was attached to stakes driven into the river bed. These couldn't be used in deep water. Kiddles were a v-shaped series of stakes with a large net placed at the apex. They were left permanently in place until the stakes decayed or were destroyed by the tide. The deepening of the River Tyne by the Tyne Commissioners in the late C19 started the end of the Tyne fishing industry {V.E. Watts 1988; W. Yarrell, 1835-9, A History of British Fishes, Vol 2, p 23}.
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
SITEDESC
Bill Point was a prominent projection of land cut away in the 1880s to improve navigation. 'Bile' is Old English for a bill, beak, headland or narrow promontory. The annual rent in 1851 was £7.
Site Name
Bill Point, medieval fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12290
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
V.E. Watts, 1988, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names III in Durham Archaeological Journal, 4, 1988, pp 53-59
YEAR1
2009
English, British
ADDITINF
Y
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
COMP2
David Cockcroft
Crossref
4084
DAY1
14
DAY2
20
District
Newcastle
Easting
219
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
04
MONTH2
06
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
632
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Benwell
Description
A fishery here was given to Tynemouth Priory in 1472. It is recorded again in 1551 and 1608, where there is specific mention of fishing for salmon. Possible relationshiop or continuity with the Benwell Salmon Fishery depicted in 1st edition Ordnance Survey (HER 4084). Dated C15th.
SITEASS
Piscaria is the legal right of fishing in certain waters. Free fishery meant the right to fish from royal grant. Several fishery meant the right to fish derived from ownership of soil. Common of fishery meant the right of fishing in another man's water. Common fishery was the right of all to fish in public waters. A piscaria was also a physical fishing establishment where fish are caught - a fish weir (gurges). The tidal part of the Tyne from Crawcrook to Tynemouth was divided lengthwise into three portions. That on the north side belonged to Northumberland, that to the south to the See of Durham, and the middle part was common and free to all. There were constant disputes concerning illegal expansion of weirs. The Prior of Tynemouth was accused of impeding the passage of ships to Newcastle with his weirs. After 1540 and the end of monastic power the burgesses of Newcastle took down the weirs. Fish were caught at the weirs by boat and net or by fish traps attached to weirs. Stall nets were stationary nets laid across a river, especially for catching sprats. Stilche ropes and draught ropes (for pulling or dragging) were also used. Sweep nets had one end fixed at the shore and the other taken out in a boat, rowed around in a half circle then brought back to shore entrapping fish. A stake net was attached to stakes driven into the river bed. These couldn't be used in deep water. Kiddles were a v-shaped series of stakes with a large net placed at the apex. They were left permanently in place until the stakes decayed or were destroyed by the tide. The deepening of the River Tyne by the Tyne Commissioners in the late C19 started the end of the Tyne fishing industry {V.E. Watts 1988; W. Yarrell, 1835-9, A History of British Fishes, Vol 2, p 23}.
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
SITEDESC
A fishery here was given to Tynemouth Priory in 1472. It is recorded again in 1551 and 1608, where there is specific mention of fishing for salmon. Possible relationship or continuity with the Benwell Salmon Fishery depicted in 1st edition Ordnance Survey (HER 4084). Dated C15th.
Site Name
Benwell, medieval fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Trap
HER Number
12289
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
V.E. Watts, 1988, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names III in Durham Archaeological Journal, 4, 1988, pp 53-59; M.H. Dodds, 1930, A History of Northumberland, Vol. XIII, p. 219
Notes by I Farrier 2023, West Newcastle Picture History Collection
YEAR1
2009
YEAR2
2023
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
14
District
Newcastle
Easting
25
Grid ref figure
4
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
04
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
63
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Newcastle
Description
A fishery in the Tyne is mentioned here in 1549.
SITEASS
Piscaria is the legal right of fishing in certain waters. Free fishery meant the right to fish from royal grant. Several fishery meant the right to fish derived from ownership of soil. Common of fishery meant the right of fishing in another man's water. Common fishery was the right of all to fish in public waters. A piscaria was also a physical fishing establishment where fish are caught - a fish weir (gurges). The tidal part of the Tyne from Crawcrook to Tynemouth was divided lengthwise into three portions. That on the north side belonged to Northumberland, that to the south to the See of Durham, and the middle part was common and free to all. There were constant disputes concerning illegal expansion of weirs. The Prior of Tynemouth was accused of impeding the passage of ships to Newcastle with his weirs. After 1540 and the end of monastic power the burgesses of Newcastle took down the weirs. Fish were caught at the weirs by boat and net or by fish traps attached to weirs. Stall nets were stationary nets laid across a river, especially for catching sprats. Stilche ropes and draught ropes (for pulling or dragging) were also used. Sweep nets had one end fixed at the shore and the other taken out in a boat, rowed around in a half circle then brought back to shore entrapping fish. A stake net was attached to stakes driven into the river bed. These couldn't be used in deep water. Kiddles were a v-shaped series of stakes with a large net placed at the apex. They were left permanently in place until the stakes decayed or were destroyed by the tide. The deepening of the River Tyne by the Tyne Commissioners in the late C19 started the end of the Tyne fishing industry {V.E. Watts 1988; W. Yarrell, 1835-9, A History of British Fishes, Vol 2, p 23}.
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
SITEDESC
A fishery in the Tyne is mentioned here in 1549. Dated C16th.
Site Name
All Saints Chapelry, medieval fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12288
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
V.E. Watts, 1988, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names III in Durham Archaeological Journal, 4, 1988, pp 53-59; M.H. Dodds, 1930, A History of Northumberland, Vol. XIII, p. 260
YEAR1
2009
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
District
Gateshead
Easting
24
Grid ref figure
4
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
04
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
63
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Gateshead
Description
Wyses Pul in 1128, Wythes pole. 'Wiht' is in Old English a bend in a river or valley, weir of the river bend or at the bends. 'Widde' is old English for a with, an osier twig, a willow. Thus 'weir where withes are cut'. The main catch would have been salmon, but in fact a wider range of fish would have been taken (eg. Eels, pike, minnow, burbot, trout and lamprey' {G.N. Garmondsway (ed), 1939, 'Aelfric's Colloquy', pp 101-2}.
SITEASS
Piscaria is the legal right of fishing in certain waters. Free fishery meant the right to fish from royal grant. Several fishery meant the right to fish derived from ownership of soil. Common of fishery meant the right of fishing in another man's water. Common fishery was the right of all to fish in public waters. A piscaria was also a physical fishing establishment where fish are caught - a fish weir (gurges). The tidal part of the Tyne from Crawcrook to Tynemouth was divided lengthwise into three portions. That on the north side belonged to Northumberland, that to the south to the See of Durham, and the middle part was common and free to all. There were constant disputes concerning illegal expansion of weirs. The Prior of Tynemouth was accused of impeding the passage of ships to Newcastle with his weirs. After 1540 and the end of monastic power the burgesses of Newcastle took down the weirs. Fish were caught at the weirs by boat and net or by fish traps attached to weirs. Stall nets were stationary nets laid across a river, especially for catching sprats. Stilche ropes and draught ropes (for pulling or dragging) were also used. Sweep nets had one end fixed at the shore and the other taken out in a boat, rowed around in a half circle then brought back to shore entrapping fish. A stake net was attached to stakes driven into the river bed. These couldn't be used in deep water. Kiddles were a v-shaped series of stakes with a large net placed at the apex. They were left permanently in place until the stakes decayed or were destroyed by the tide. The deepening of the River Tyne by the Tyne Commissioners in the late C19 started the end of the Tyne fishing industry {V.E. Watts 1988; W. Yarrell, 1835-9, A History of British Fishes, Vol 2, p 23}.
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
SITEDESC
Wyses Pul in 1128, Wythes pole. 'Wiht' is in Old English a bend in a river or valley, weir of the river bend or at the bends. 'Widde' is old English for a with, an osier twig, a willow. Thus 'weir where withes are cut'. The main catch would have been salmon, but in fact a wider range of fish would have been taken (e.g. Eels, pike, minnow, burbot, trout and lamprey' {G.N. Garmondsway (ed), 1939, 'Aelfric's Colloquy', pp 101-2}. Dated C12th.
Site Name
Gateshead, Wyses Pul Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12287
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
Victor Watts, 1986, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names II in Durham Archaeological Journal, 2, 1986, pp 55-61
YEAR1
2009
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
District
Gateshead
Easting
24
Grid ref figure
4
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
04
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
63
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Gateshead
Description
Quikham Drawwater in 1344. Means 'a stretch of water for drawing, to draw a net through for fish'. Belonged to the bishop of Durham. The main catch would have been salmon, but in fact a wider range of fish would have been taken (eg. Eels, pike, minnow, burbot, trout and lamprey' {G.N. Garmondsway (ed), 1939, 'Aelfric's Colloquy', pp 101-2}.
SITEASS
Piscaria is the legal right of fishing in certain waters. Free fishery meant the right to fish from royal grant. Several fishery meant the right to fish derived from ownership of soil. Common of fishery meant the right of fishing in another man's water. Common fishery was the right of all to fish in public waters. A piscaria was also a physical fishing establishment where fish are caught - a fish weir (gurges). The tidal part of the Tyne from Crawcrook to Tynemouth was divided lengthwise into three portions. That on the north side belonged to Northumberland, that to the south to the See of Durham, and the middle part was common and free to all. There were constant disputes concerning illegal expansion of weirs. The Prior of Tynemouth was accused of impeding the passage of ships to Newcastle with his weirs. After 1540 and the end of monastic power the burgesses of Newcastle took down the weirs. Fish were caught at the weirs by boat and net or by fish traps attached to weirs. Stall nets were stationary nets laid across a river, especially for catching sprats. Stilche ropes and draught ropes (for pulling or dragging) were also used. Sweep nets had one end fixed at the shore and the other taken out in a boat, rowed around in a half circle then brought back to shore entrapping fish. A stake net was attached to stakes driven into the river bed. These couldn't be used in deep water. Kiddles were a v-shaped series of stakes with a large net placed at the apex. They were left permanently in place until the stakes decayed or were destroyed by the tide. The deepening of the River Tyne by the Tyne Commissioners in the late C19 started the end of the Tyne fishing industry {V.E. Watts 1988; W. Yarrell, 1835-9, A History of British Fishes, Vol 2, p 23}.
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
SITEDESC
Quikham Drawwater in 1344. Means 'a stretch of water for drawing, to draw a net through for fish'. Belonged to the bishop of Durham. The main catch would have been salmon, but in fact a wider range of fish would have been taken (e.g. Eels, pike, minnow, burbot, trout and lamprey' {G.N. Garmondsway (ed), 1939, 'Aelfric's Colloquy', pp 101-2}. Dated C12th.
Site Name
Gateshead, Quikham Drawwater Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12286
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
Victor Watts, 1986, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names II in Durham Archaeological Journal, 2, 1986, pp 55-61
YEAR1
2009
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
District
Gateshead
Easting
28
Grid ref figure
4
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
04
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
62
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Heworth
Description
Uthward yar', Vtuordeiare in 1195, Vthward yare. 'Utweard' is old English for 'outer'. One of the monks' weirs. An out-yair is situated entirely in the course of the river and not attached to the bank at all. The main catch would have been salmon, but in fact a wider range of fish would have been taken (eg. Eels, pike, minnow, burbot, trout and lamprey' {G.N. Garmondsway (ed), 1939, 'Aelfric's Colloquy', pp 101-2}.
SITEASS
Piscaria is the legal right of fishing in certain waters. Free fishery meant the right to fish from royal grant. Several fishery meant the right to fish derived from ownership of soil. Common of fishery meant the right of fishing in another man's water. Common fishery was the right of all to fish in public waters. A piscaria was also a physical fishing establishment where fish are caught - a fish weir (gurges). The tidal part of the Tyne from Crawcrook to Tynemouth was divided lengthwise into three portions. That on the north side belonged to Northumberland, that to the south to the See of Durham, and the middle part was common and free to all. There were constant disputes concerning illegal expansion of weirs. The Prior of Tynemouth was accused of impeding the passage of ships to Newcastle with his weirs. After 1540 and the end of monastic power the burgesses of Newcastle took down the weirs. Fish were caught at the weirs by boat and net or by fish traps attached to weirs. Stall nets were stationary nets laid across a river, especially for catching sprats. Stilche ropes and draught ropes (for pulling or dragging) were also used. Sweep nets had one end fixed at the shore and the other taken out in a boat, rowed around in a half circle then brought back to shore entrapping fish. A stake net was attached to stakes driven into the river bed. These couldn't be used in deep water. Kiddles were a v-shaped series of stakes with a large net placed at the apex. They were left permanently in place until the stakes decayed or were destroyed by the tide. The deepening of the River Tyne by the Tyne Commissioners in the late C19 started the end of the Tyne fishing industry {V.E. Watts 1988; W. Yarrell, 1835-9, A History of British Fishes, Vol 2, p 23}.
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
SITEDESC
Uthward yar', Vtuordeiare in 1195, Vthward yare. 'Utweard' is old English for 'outer'. One of the monks' weirs. An out-yair is situated entirely in the course of the river and not attached to the bank at all. The main catch would have been salmon, but in fact a wider range of fish would have been taken (e.g. Eels, pike, minnow, burbot, trout and lamprey' {G.N. Garmondsway (ed), 1939, 'Aelfric's Colloquy', pp 101-2}. Dated C12th.
Site Name
Heworth, Uthward yar' Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12285
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
Victor Watts, 1986, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names II in Durham Archaeological Journal, 2, 1986, pp 55-61
YEAR1
2009
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
District
S Tyneside
Easting
30
Grid ref figure
4
Map Sheet
NZ36NW
MONTH1
04
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
65
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Hebburn
Description
Uthwat' yar' in 1128, Vtuordeiare in 1195, Utworiare, Vthward' yare. 'Utweard' is old English for 'outer'. One of the monks' weirs. An out-yair is situated entirely in the course of the river and not attached to the bank at all. The main catch would have been salmon, but in fact a wider range of fish would have been taken (eg. Eels, pike, minnow, burbot, trout and lamprey' {G.N. Garmondsway (ed), 1939, 'Aelfric's Colloquy', pp 101-2}.
SITEASS
Piscaria is the legal right of fishing in certain waters. Free fishery meant the right to fish from royal grant. Several fishery meant the right to fish derived from ownership of soil. Common of fishery meant the right of fishing in another man's water. Common fishery was the right of all to fish in public waters. A piscaria was also a physical fishing establishment where fish are caught - a fish weir (gurges). The tidal part of the Tyne from Crawcrook to Tynemouth was divided lengthwise into three portions. That on the north side belonged to Northumberland, that to the south to the See of Durham, and the middle part was common and free to all. There were constant disputes concerning illegal expansion of weirs. The Prior of Tynemouth was accused of impeding the passage of ships to Newcastle with his weirs. After 1540 and the end of monastic power the burgesses of Newcastle took down the weirs. Fish were caught at the weirs by boat and net or by fish traps attached to weirs. Stall nets were stationary nets laid across a river, especially for catching sprats. Stilche ropes and draught ropes (for pulling or dragging) were also used. Sweep nets had one end fixed at the shore and the other taken out in a boat, rowed around in a half circle then brought back to shore entrapping fish. A stake net was attached to stakes driven into the river bed. These couldn't be used in deep water. Kiddles were a v-shaped series of stakes with a large net placed at the apex. They were left permanently in place until the stakes decayed or were destroyed by the tide. The deepening of the River Tyne by the Tyne Commissioners in the late C19 started the end of the Tyne fishing industry {V.E. Watts 1988; W. Yarrell, 1835-9, A History of British Fishes, Vol 2, p 23}.
Site Type: Broad
Fishing Site
SITEDESC
Uthwat' yar' in 1128, Vtuordeiare in 1195, Utworiare, Vthward' yare. 'Utweard' is old English for 'outer'. One of the monks' weirs. An out-yair is situated entirely in the course of the river and not attached to the bank at all. The main catch would have been salmon, but in fact a wider range of fish would have been taken (e.g. Eels, pike, minnow, burbot, trout and lamprey' {G.N. Garmondsway (ed), 1939, 'Aelfric's Colloquy', pp 101-2}. Dated C12th.
Site Name
Hebburn, Uthwat' yar' Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12284
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
Victor Watts, 1986, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names II in Durham Archaeological Journal, 2, 1986, pp 55-61