Eel Fisheries and Management
Eel fisheries were widespread in rivers and wetlands. Landowners and monasteries often controlled these fisheries, leasing out fishing rights or selling eels at markets. The right to fish for eels could be a valuable asset, sometimes contested and protected by law.
Market Trade and Popularity
Eels were sold fresh, smoked, salted, or pickled in local markets, making them an accessible commodity for a range of consumers. London’s markets, such as Billingsgate, were known for their eel sales, with eels considered a delicacy in some quarters.
Trade extended beyond local markets; preserved eels could be transported to other regions, indicating a well-established trade network.
Eels in English Law and Customs
Eels held such value that they were often referenced in medieval English law and customary rights.
Legal Protections and Disputes
Because eel fisheries were so important economically, disputes over fishing rights, pond ownership, and water usage were common. Documents from the Middle Ages contain many references to these conflicts, showing how valuable and contested eel resources were.
In some regions, the right to fish for eels was tied to manorial privileges or granted by royal charter, reflecting the importance of eels to local economies.
Eels as Currency or Tax Payments
In certain cases, eels were accepted as forms of rent or tax payment. Tenants might pay their lord in eels harvested from local waters, demonstrating the fish’s tangible economic value. shutdown123