abbot abbot somerset england built 14th century designated grade listed building scheduled ancient monument surviving monastic fishery building england fishing important source food monks fishing carried artificial ponds mentioned book river pool present rectangular stone building constructed abbot storage processing fish residence chief fisherman building fell disrepair seriously damaged fire 1880s restoration undertaken 20th century including replacement roof 1920s history fish ponds surrounding recorded book tended fishermen connected drains metres long metres wide connected pool river point caught year pike white fish caught pool formed water raised shown filled metres mud especially climatic period 1st millennium early drainage work carried later years 12th century responsibility maintaining sea placed named individuals precise boundaries varied according season longer term efforts drain area south end bordered high ground village built pond extended west current road shelf rock formed natural boundary north lies ridge eastern extent harder determine gone far site lake village importance industry illustrated series disputes dean chapter abbey required fish fast days lent drainage surrounding area monks reduced size lake acres time pool disappeared maps current fish house built abbot built village summer residence replaced previous abbey building upper floor chief fisherman visited intermittently ground floor storing nets preparing fish alterations probably 15th century pool drained fish house fell disrepair suffered fire 1880s destroyed roof interior repairs walls roof replaced work undertaken 1920s conservation carried 1960s piece timber building subject testing attempt provide specific date buildings construction results proved inconclusive building inspected taken state fish house care english_heritage architecture rectangular stone building stone roof metres long metres wide ground floor rooms larger fireplace door southern wall larger room hall linked arched smaller rooms rooms floor damaged fire small entrance door accessed exterior stone steps longer exist turret longer exists small arched windows
The Abbot's Fish House, Meare