Priest Pot: Difference between revisions

|name meaning = Priest’sPriest's pool

'''Priest Pot''' is a small tarn at the northern end of [[Esthwaite Water]], a short distance south-east of [[Hawkshead]]. It was once part of the larger lake formation of Esthwaite before is was cut off by alluvial deposits from [[Black Beck]], and other natural processes (see formation). This ultimately kick-started the development of the carr (wetland area) that now completely surrounds this tarn.<ref name="blair42">{{blair-2003|42}}</ref> Created by natural processes after the ice had excavated the basins of the lake, this unassuming tarn is protected by the encompassing Esthwaite Water Site of Special Scientific Interest (1987) and Ramsar (1991) status. It is adjacent to the North Fen National Nature Reserve. [[Out Dubs Tarn]] is a similar body of water at the southern end of the lake.

The first element of Priest Pot comes from Old English ‘’''[[wiktionary:preost|preost]]’’'' (priest), itself an adaptation from Latin ‘’''[[wiktionary:presbyter|presbyter]]’’'' (elder, older). The second element ‘’pot''pot(te)’’'' is a deep hollow or pool that may be liable to flooding, and therefore, holding water. There have been conjectures about the name including Wordsworth's thoughts leading towards the possibility of an Ecclesiastic having drowned in it, but it is more likely to have been used as a private fishery by the residents of Hawkshead Hall, just north of the village, and later by the monks of Furness Abbey.<ref>{{whaley|268}}</ref> The monks had built a 'grange' here and more than likely used the tarn as a fishpond or stewpond,<ref>[https://www.hawkshead-village.co.uk/?HAWKSHEAD:History_of_Hawkshead Hawkshead Village] Accessed 7 July, 2023.</ref> which is simply a place to keep live fish in readiness for cooking. Several hundred years ago the pond would have looked very different, probably slightly bigger, and the shoreline easier to access.

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