Monument Type(s):

• FISH WEIR (Medieval to Post Medieval - 1066 AD to 1901 AD)

Summary

Scheduled Monument: A medieval fish weir on the River Severn, part of an extensive fishpond and water management system associated with the 12th century Buildwas Abbey.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA4872 - 2002 Earthworks survey at Buildwas Abbey by RCHME

Description

Fish weir recorded in 1575 <1>

North side (?) with gutter and low bylet could be natural. Weir 1575, ordered to be modified, probably since the towpath was on the north side, and yet there appears to be little room for a gutter below steep hillside and on solid rock in river bed <2>

Evaluated for MPP in 1990-1, High score as one of 23 River Fisheries <3>

Included in revised Scheduling of Buildwas Abbey in 1997. Relevant part of Scheduling description: ->

-> The monument includes the ruined and buried remains of Buildwas Abbey and the earthwork and buried remains of an extensive water management system, including water meadows, leats, fishponds, mills, and a fish weir, as well as the remains of several charcoal burning hearths ..The river .. Formed the basis of the complex water management system which operated in the vicinity, and included the fishponds and water meadows which would have supported the abbey's economy and ensured a plentiful food supply for the monks and their livestock ..On the margin of the river, are the remains of a raised mound roughly oval in plan and measuring c.60m east-west by 15m transversely. This is separated from the bank by a channel or bylet, 7m wide, which would be subject to flood and which runs parallel to the main river course. This is probably the much eroded remains of a fish weir, which was recorded as being on this bank of the river at Buildwas Abbey in 1575 ..[The water meadows'] major water control system was probably related to flood control and may also have formed part of the fish weir <4>

Field survey of earthworks carried out at Buildwas abbey and its environs in January and February 2002 in conjunction with the publication of a new guide book for the site. Three areas of earthworks were examined, labelled ‘the pond field’, ‘the west field’ and ‘the south field’. A range of features were identified <5>

<00> Shropshire County Council SMR, Site and Monuments Record (SMR) cards, SMR Card for PRN SA 02949 (Card index). SSA20722.

<01> Pannett David J, 1981, Fish Weirs of the River Severn (Article in monograph). SSA318.

<02> Pannett David J, 1973, Fish Weirs on the River Severn (Article in serial). SSA319.

<03> Horton Wendy B, 1990/ 1991, MPP Evaluation File (TEXT). SSA20084.

<04> English Heritage, 1997, Scheduling Papers (Revised Scheduling, 14/03/1997) (Scheduled Monument notification). SSA21201.

<05> Brown G, 2002, Earthworks at Buildwas Abbey, Shropshire (Field survey report). SSA20886.

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.