Exploring GB

In July 2022, two Anglo Saxon watermills were discovered in the waterlogged gravels at Wellington Quarry in Hereford.

One dated from the 9th century, the other is a vertical mill and is dated about 700AD.

It was likely still functioning when Offa was King of Mercia (757-796).

It was at the Royal Palace at Sutton that Offa treacherously murdered King Aethelberht of East Anglia, and had him buried at Hereford where he became the patron saint of the pre-conquest cathedral.

However, King Offa’s 8th century palace at Sutton, St.Nicholas or Marden has not yet been found.

This site is among the most significant archaeological locations in the West Midlands.

Over the past 30 years, extensive excavations have been conducted there, yielding valuable discoveries that have justified the effort.

Notable findings include a rich Beaker burial from approximately 2,750 to 2,500 B.C., a late Iron Age settlement dating from 100 B.C. to 50 A.D., a Roman settlement and villa, and remarkably well-preserved medieval corn drying ovens from the 13th century.

Anglo-Saxon watermills were remarkable structures that harnessed the power of flowing water to perform essential tasks, primarily grinding grain into flour.

These early medieval watermills played a significant role in the agricultural economy and technological advancement of Anglo-Saxon England.

They were typically located along rivers or streams to take advantage of a continuous flow of water.

This strategic placement ensured a reliable source of energy.

To divert water from the main river or stream to the mill, a man-made channel known as a "leat" was often constructed.

Two primary types of waterwheels were used during this period: undershot wheels and overshot wheels.

Undershot wheels were simpler and operated by water flowing beneath them, making them ideal for locations with lower water flow.

On the other hand, overshot wheels were more efficient, as they were turned by water flowing over the top, utilising both the weight and flow of the water.

The waterwheel was connected to a horizontal axle, and as the wheel turned, so did the axle.

This rotational motion was transferred from the horizontal axle to a vertical spindle through a large vertical cogwheel, often made of wood.

This change in direction was crucial for driving the millstones.

The mill consisted of two circular stones: the lower stone, known as the bedstone, remained stationary, while the upper stone, or runner stone, rotated.

Grain was fed into a hole at the center of the runner stone, and as the stone rotated, the grain was ground between the two stones, with the resulting flour emerging from the edge.

A funnel-shaped container called a hopper held the grain and fed it gradually into the millstones.

The grain trickled down through a small adjustable chute called a shoe, ensuring a steady flow of grain for efficient grinding.

The speed of grinding could be adjusted by controlling the flow of water to the wheel, often by using sluice gates in the leat.

The efficiency and power of a watermill depended largely on the design and size of the wheel and the availability of a steady water supply.

Regular maintenance was required to keep the wooden parts, especially the wheel and gears, in good working order.

The stones also needed periodic dressing to keep them sharp and effective.

The use of watermills allowed for faster and more efficient grain processing compared to manual methods like hand querns.

Many mills were owned by lords or monasteries, and peasants often had to pay to use the facilities, either in money or a portion of their grain, reinforcing the feudal economy.

They continued to be used for several years with improvements and adaptations.

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