History of the Blackwater

There is evidence that the Romans had colonised Maldon by the 1^st Century AD, and were obtaining fish and oysters from the Blackwater to feed the settlement.

During the late 1990's, Saxon fish traps were uncovered with the help of weather conditions and were then excavated by Essex County Council Archaeological group. These large, permanent structures gave some indication of the huge effort it must have taken to build and maintain them. Today, all that remains of the structures are the eroded stumps of the upright posts and some parts of the wattle panelling a few inches high. Further information can be obtained from the Essex County Council Archaeology website at: http://unlockingessex.essexcc.gov.uk/

In 991AD a Viking fleet sailed up the Blackwater and landed on an island (believed to be Northey Island). The island is to this day still linked to the mainland by a causeway, and it was across this road that Byrhtnoth, the royal deputy in Essex made the mistake of allowing the Vikings across to engage them in battle. The Saxons lost this decisive battle, and it was as a result of this loss that King Ethelred made peace with the Vikings and paid the first Danegeld as a form of 'protection' against further raids.

On the 7^th October 1155, King Henry 2^nd granted Maldon a Borough Charter confirming its status, one of the conditions was the provision of a ship for the Kings defence, and to enable this to be done a Water Bailiff was appointed to gather taxes from the river. This post is still in existence, making the Maldon Water ( or River ) Bailiff one of the longest surviving posts in the Country today. Further information about the role of the River Bailiff or the history of the River Blackwater can be obtained by e-mail at rivers@maldon.gov.uk.

Up to the 18^th Century, the River Blackwater continued to grow in importance, and during this period, it became the main supply route for imports along the East Coast, as well as a major source of food for the town. During the winter of 1776 the Blackwater froze from Maldon to Osea island, a distance of some four miles. The ice trapped fishing and cargo carrying vessels and blocked any imports of coal, oil, wool etc. At the height of winter, two thirds of the town was without work and pay, and the freeze caused great hardship to almost every resident.