| Watchet was first recorded during the dark ages. When St
Decuman arrived from South Wales and acted as a physician, arbitrator
and pastor to the local community. He arrived on a raft with a cow as a
companion! In the Iron ages Daws fort was built above Watchet to protect
the port and area.
Wacthet's natural harbour made it an early trading centre and in the
10th century coins were minted here for Ethelred II and five more saxon
kings.
Wachet is unqiue in that it still retains the court leet system of
medeival administration alebeit in name. Posts include Portreeve and the
coveted position of Ale Taster. The Star Inn, Watchet won the Somerset
2006 CAMRA award for real ale. It's unclear if the Ale Taster had a hand
in this. |
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| Wachet gets its name from WACET. The blue WACET dye
found in the cliffs. Wachet became an active port with a host of
commodities being traded up and down the coast, to Ireland and Wales.
The Mineral Line bought iron ore down for shipment to Wales. |
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