Adam - The Village Fisherman

The life of a village fisherman

Cosmeston may not seem a coastal village, but being only half a mile away from the coast there was ample opportunity for fishing in the Bristol Channel. The right to fish over the sand banks off Lavernock Point was important enough to be mentioned in the manorial laws. The village fisherman would be an important figure in enhancing and improving the villager's food supply.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the villagers were particularly fond of limpets!

The low lying wetlands behind the village not only produced the thatch for the village roofs but also provided an area that was rich in fish and waterfowl. These would have formed a very important part of the villagers diet.

Adam's story...

Adam was born at Kenfig, the son of a boat builder. At the age of 15 he found himself with his father on board the Flemish ship Ooesterbrugh. The ship was trading untaxed wool from shepherds along the Vale of Glamorgan coast to Oporto on the Portuguese coast. The vessel had sprung a leak on the second leg of its journey from the South Wales coast and had run ashore near Kenfig where it was found to be in need of some major repairs. The Captain did not wish to wait as he was carrying illegal cargo so he paid Adams father to travel with them and continue the repairs while at sea.

Unfortunately they were hit by a vicious storm off Biscay and after being driven north the ship once again attempted to reach the Welsh coast. The ship suffered serious damage from the storm and was limping back to safety when yet more bad weather came out of the west and drove the vessel up the Bristol channel. Finally the stricken ship went down off Lavernock Point.

Adam was the only survivor and after holding on to wreckage for a number of days was washed up on the shores of Cosmeston manor. He was in a terrible state, covered in sores, dressed in rags and half starving he was considered in need of manorial care. Adam was fed and clothed and nursed back to health. Once Adam had recovered Sir William decided it was only right to take Adam as a bondsman and put him to work as a fisherman. Sir William had Adam officially designated as flotsam and any flotsam found off the Cosmeston coast belonged to the manor.

Adam explained that he was most grateful for the care he received, but had to get home. Sir William explained that until such time as Adam pays him back for the expense of clothing and feeding him, he would remain indebted to Sir William. The problem is that Sir William won't tell Adam how much he owes. Adam feels that he must have paid his debt as he has been here for 5 years, but Sir William says no. When Adam attempted to leave, Caradog tracked him down and William had one of his feet broken with a leaden maul.

Adam rarely gets to use his boat building skills. He is allowed to make coracles and uses them for fishing with nets and traps in the wetland areas. The only time he is allowed out to sea is as part of a boat crew. Sir William does not want Adam to escape again as he sees many many years of income still to come!