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| Name: | Medieval watermill of Lower Mill, Dunster |
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| ENPHER Monument Number: | MEM22171 |
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| Type of Record: | Monument |
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| Grid Reference: | SS 9910 4333 |
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| Parish: | DUNSTER, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET |
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Summary
The present mill is situated on the site of the medieval mill of Lower Mill, formed from Newmylle and Nethermylle.
Monument Type(s):
- CORN MILL (Medieval to AD 17th Century - 1066 AD? to 1675 AD? (Possible))
- WATERMILL (Medieval to AD 17th Century - 1066 AD? to 1675 AD? (Possible))
Description
A restored water mill lies on the edge of the grounds of Dunster Castle, close to the River Avill, at SS 9910 4333. Domesday recorded two mills on the Mohun estate in Dunster in 1086. This mill, now called Castle Mill, was the lower of these two, and was known as Nethermylle in 1329. In 1427 Newmylle was built next door to Nethermylle; by 1620 they were combined as Lower Mill [1].
The two mills mentioned in Dunster in Domesday were known as Overmylle and Nethermylle in 1329 and were leased to a burgess, Walter Rughe, for an annual rent of £16. In 1405 the rent was set at £10 on the condition that the lessee was responsible for all repairs. Newmylle was built in 1427 by William Person who already leased the older mills. By 1620 Newmylle and Nethermylle were united under one roof on the present mill site. [2]
The current mill building appears to have been constructed in the late 17th Century, possibly replacing Lower Mill at this time.
<1> Eardley-Wilmot, H., 1981, Worksheet in Devon HER, Somerset Extensive Urban Survey: Dunster Draft Archaeological Assessment EH and SCC draft report 199 (Unpublished document). SMO5301.
<2> Binding, H., Discovering Dunster, p58-9 (Monograph). SEM7516.
Sources and Further Reading
| [1] | SMO5301 - Unpublished document: Eardley-Wilmot, H.. 1981. Worksheet in Devon HER. Somerset Extensive Urban Survey: Dunster Draft Archaeological Assessment EH and SCC draft report 199. |
| [2] | SEM7516 - Monograph: Binding, H.. Discovering Dunster. The Exmoor Press. p58-9. |
Related records
| MEM24623 | Parent of: Medieval or post-medieval mill stream west of Dunster (Monument) |
| MSO9458 | Related to: Castle Mill, Mill Lane, Dunster (Building) |
Other References
- Local List Status (Unassessed)
- SHINE Candidate (Yes)
| Date Last Edited: | Jan 22 2020 4:20PM |
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