Semer

The name Semer is derived from the Old English elements "sǣ" (lake or sea) and "mere" (pool or lake). As the name therefore means "lake pool", it may be that the mere element was added at a later date. The abbey acted as both Lord of the Manor and Tenant-in-chief. It is recorded as home to 20 households: six villagers, 13 small holders and one slave. It is recorded as having enough ploughland for 3 lord's plough teams and 3 men's plough teams; and the village also had 12 acre of meadow, a mill, a church, 0.25 acre of church land, 16 cattle, 2 cobs, 24 pigs and 97 sheep. In 1086 the village is valued as worth £6 a year to its lord, the Abbey, a £1 increase on its value in 1066. Its taxable…