English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
District
Gateshead
Easting
424000
Grid ref figure
4
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563000
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Gateshead
Description
Dyaph yar in 1128, Depe in 1279, Deaphe or Daphe yare. 'Deope' means 'deep' in old English. It is mentioned in the Northumberland Assize Roll of 1279 as having extended 20 fathoms (teisias) beyond its due bounds. Owned by 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
Dyaph yar in 1128, Depe in 1279, Deaphe or Daphe yare. 'Deope' means 'deep' in old English. It is mentioned in the Northumberland Assize Roll of 1279 as having extended 20 fathoms (teisias) beyond its due bounds. Owned by 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 C12-14th.
Site Name
Dyaph yar Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12237
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
417600
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ16SE
MONTH1
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
564500
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Ryton
Description
Crumwell in 1128, Cromwell in 1344, Crumbwell (there is a Crombwelbank in Hatfield's survey of Ryton in 1382). 'Crumbe' means a bend (in a river) in old English. 'Crumb' means 'crooked'. 'Wella' means 'spring'. 'wel' means 'deep pool'. Thus 'spring in or by the river bend' or 'crooked winding stream'. Cromwell is marked on the 1st edition 6" Ordnance Survey map in the river at NZ 176 645. The 'crumbe' is clearly the bend in the River Tyne at this point. Owned by 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
Crumwell in 1128, Cromwell in 1344, Crumbwell (there is a Crombwelbank in Hatfield's survey of Ryton in 1382). 'Crumbe' means a bend (in a river) in old English. 'Crumb' means 'crooked'. 'Wella' means 'spring'. 'wel' means 'deep pool'. Thus 'spring in or by the river bend' or 'crooked winding stream'. Cromwell is marked on the 1st edition 6" Ordnance Survey map in the river at NZ 176 645. The 'crumbe' is clearly the bend in the River Tyne at this point. Owned by 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 C12-14th.
Site Name
Ryton, Cromwell Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12236
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
432600
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ36NW
MONTH1
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
565900
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Jarrow
Description
Courtyar from 1438-9. 'Cort(e)' means 'a short plot of ground' or 'a piece of land cut off' in old English. 'Cort' also means 'short' and 'court' means 'manor'. More likely 'corte' means hurdle or fence. 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
Courtyar from 1438-9. 'Cort(e)' means 'a short plot of ground' or 'a piece of land cut off' in old English. 'Cort' also means 'short' and 'court' means 'manor'. More likely 'corte' means hurdle or fence. 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 C12-14th.
Site Name
Courtyar Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12235
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
424000
Grid ref figure
4
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563000
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Gateshead
Description
Due Comitith yares in 1128, corntithe, Coutitche, contitthe yares. Owned by 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
Due Comitith yares in 1128, corntithe, Coutitche, contitthe yares. Owned by 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 C12-14th.
Site Name
Due Comitith yares Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12234
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
425400
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563800
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Gateshead
Description
Chirche yar in 1128, Chirche yare, Kirkeyere in 1279, Kirkyare in 1344. 'Cirice' is old English for 'church'. Thus this was a weir belonging to or near to a church. The bishop of Durham had two weirs in Gateshead. One of them is listed in the Northumberland Assize Roll of 1279 of weirs (gurgites) that had trespassed beyond their due limits, in this case 42 fathoms (teisias). In 1344 the weir extended to the regulation one third of the water of Tyne. It lay east of the medieval Tyne bridge. 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
Chirche yar in 1128, Chirche yare, Kirkeyere in 1279, Kirkyare in 1344. 'Cirice' is old English for 'church'. Thus this was a weir belonging to or near to a church. The bishop of Durham had two weirs in Gateshead. One of them is listed in the Northumberland Assize Roll of 1279 of weirs (gurgites) that had trespassed beyond their due limits, in this case 42 fathoms (teisias). In 1344 the weir extended to the regulation one third of the water of Tyne. It lay east of the medieval Tyne bridge. 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 C12-14th.
Site Name
Chirche yar Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12233
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Sources
Victor Watts, 1986, Some Northumbrian Fishery Names II in Durham Archaeological Journal, 2, 1986, pp 55-61; Three Early Assize Rolls for… Northumberland, Surtees Society 88 (1891), 335
YEAR1
2009
English, British
Class
Agriculture and Subsistence
COMP1
Jennifer Morrison
DAY1
02
District
Gateshead
Easting
428000
Grid ref figure
4
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563000
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Felling
Description
Houden yar in 1128, Bondeneiare in 1195, Bondenyare, Bondenyare c. 1225, Bondyar in 1333 and 1438-9, Albondyare in 1328, Bondeniare in 1418. 'Bonda' means 'a peasant landowner' in old English. Thus 'the peasant's yair'. 'Bonda' was an adaptation of the Old Norse 'bondi' which meant husbandman, farmer or peasant. The term was used in the Laws of Cnut. This was 'Old Bondyare', which may be a reference to an old or rebuilt structure, weirs being vulnerable structures which needed frequent rebuilding. Belonged to the monks 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
Houden yar in 1128, Bondeneiare in 1195, Bondenyare, Bondenyare c. 1225, Bondyar in 1333 and 1438-9, Albondyare in 1328, Bondeniare in 1418. 'Bonda' means 'a peasant landowner' in old English. Thus 'the peasant's yair'. 'Bonda' was an adaptation of the Old Norse 'bondi' which meant husbandman, farmer or peasant. The term was used in the Laws of Cnut. This was 'Old Bondyare', which may be a reference to an old or rebuilt structure, weirs being vulnerable structures which needed frequent rebuilding. Belonged to the monks 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 C12-14th.
Site Name
Felling, Houden yar Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12232
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
415100
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ16NE
MONTH1
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
565100
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Ryton
Description
Blaklough in 1344. 'Bloec' is old English for 'black', 'luh' means lough, lke or pool. This fishery was near Ryton. The line of an old fish weir is marked on the 1st edition 6" Ordnance Survey map running diagonally across the river from Island House on the north bank to Signal Point on the south at approximately NZ 150 652. This could be this site. 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
Blaklough in 1344. 'Bloec' is old English for 'black', 'luh' means lough, lke or pool. This fishery was near Ryton. The line of an old fish weir is marked on the 1st edition 6" Ordnance Survey map running diagonally across the river from Island House on the north bank to Signal Point on the south at approximately NZ 150 652. This could be this site. 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 C12-14th.
Site Name
Ryton, Blaklough Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12231
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
429000
Grid ref figure
4
Map Sheet
NZ26SE
MONTH1
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
562000
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Heworth
Description
Blaklawyar between 1438-9. 'Bloec' is old English for 'black', 'hlaw' means hill. Hence Blackhill yair. 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
Blaklawyar between 1438-9. 'Bloec' is old English for 'black', 'hlaw' means hill. Hence Blackhill yair. 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 C12-14th.
Site Name
Nether Heworth, Blaklawyar Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12230
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
419000
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ16SE
MONTH1
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
564000
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Blaydon
Description
Bladene yar in 1128, Blaydon yair. One of the bishop of Durham's weirs. 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
Bladene yar in 1128, Blaydon yair. One of the bishop of Durham's weirs. 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 C12-14th.
Site Name
Blaydon, Bladene yar Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12229
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
424900
Grid ref figure
6
Map Sheet
NZ26SW
MONTH1
4
Grid Reference
NZ
Northing
563400
General Period
MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Medieval 1066 to 1540
Place
Gateshead
Description
Besi Hungri yar in 1128, Bosi hongri yare. 'Bisig' is old English for 'busy'. 'Bosig' is old English for 'cow-stall'. 'Hungor' is old English for 'hunger'. This word is used as a term of reproach alluding to barren ground - in this case the name may mean 'unprofitable weir'. In Gateshead, one of the bishop of Durham's weirs. 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
Besi Hungri yar in 1128, Bosi hongri yare. 'Bisig' is old English for 'busy'. 'Bosig' is old English for 'cow-stall'. 'Hungor' is old English for 'hunger'. This word is used as a term of reproach alluding to barren ground - in this case the name may mean 'unprofitable weir'. In Gateshead, one of the bishop of Durham's weirs. 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 C12-14th.
Site Name
Besi Hungri yar Fishery
Site Type: Specific
Fish Weir
HER Number
12228
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