Watchet - Somerset

THE TOWN OF WATCHET is over 1000 years old. The date of the earliest settlement is difficult to establish, however; in the time of Alfred the Great (871-899) the borough or "burh" of Watchet was listed in the "Burghal Hidage" - a system of fortified settlements he established to defend the kingdom of Wessex, but legends indicate a much older community. Professional excavation on the hill west of the town has uncovered earth banks and mortared stone walls, probably of this period. (Credit A. L. Wedlake, Honorary Curator, Watchet Museum, Past President, Somerset Archaeological Society)

WATCHET'S OLDEST LEGEND states that in the fifth century, a Celtic missionary by the name of St. Decuman became aware that the people of Watchet were in urgent need of spiritual guidance. He decided to sail across the Bristol Channel from Wales to Watchet to preach the gospel and to save the people from evil. He enjoyed a drink of milk, so brought with him his pet cow. He started to build a church on a hill overlooking the town and began to preach, but the local people took a dislike to him; one of them allegedly chopped off his head with a hatchet. Seemingly unpeturbed, St. Decuman retrieved his severed head, and after washing off the blood in a nearby holy well, replaced it and carried on building. Not surprisingly, the people of Watchet were somewhat disconcerted by this chain of events, and were ashamed of themselves. Henceforth they gave St. Decuman evey assistance in building the church. Watchet's present church bears St. Decuman's name. The Holy Well exists and can easily be found about 150 yards from St. Decuman's Church. (Credit W.H. (Ben) Norman, author "Legends & Folklore of Watchet")

WATCHET was the subject of Viking raids for hundreds of years during Saxon times. Records show that in 914 a Viking raid had been beaten off by Saxon forces. In 988 the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle reported that "Watchet was ravaged. Goda the Devonshire Thane was killed and many died with him." (The town of Watchet recently celebrated the one thousandth anniversary of this event.) Raiders from Scandinavia attacked again in 996 and did much damage. (Credit A. L. Wedlake, Honorary Curator, Watchet Museum, Past President, Somerset Archaeological Society)