Image ID: 21665

King's Mill Reservoir and Hamilton Hill

Courtesy of J W Purdy

King's Mill Reservoir and Hamilton Hill
Sutton in Ashfield
England

Kings Mill is a large reservoir and area of natural beauty on the Sutton-in-Ashfield and Mansfield border. The reservoir once stored water from the River Maun which powered a mill at this site. The mill got its name through local historical royal connections. Mansfield was certainly an important place throughout it's history, as it was the personal property of the King of England, and remained so until it was sold to the Cavendish family in 1602. Edward the Confessor had a manor here, and when William the Conqueror came into possession he had here 'two car. or plows in demesne and five sochman, on three bovats of this land, and thirty-five villains; twenty bordars with nineteen car, and a half, one mill, one piscary; twenty-four acres of meadow, pasture wood two leu. long and two broad;' and there were also in the town two churches and two priests'. Legend has it that Henry II got lost whilst hunting in the area, and finding his way to the mill was offered lodgings. The mill was occupied by John Cockle, who resided here with his wife, son and his daughter Margery. The mill owners wife did not realise who he was and put him to bed with her son. In the morning she gave him some breakfast, and her daughter 'Carrotty Margery' waited upon his Majesty; and whilst engaged on the meal a number of courtiers arrived, asking if anything had been seen or heard of the missing King, who they had been looking for all night. The King then declared himself, much to the amazement of Mistress Cockle, who went on her knees to beg pardon for the familiarity with which she had treated him, and above all for putting him to sleep with her son. But the King graciously thanked her for her kindness and hospitality, knighted her husband on the spot, and thus made her 'My Lady'. The story goes on to say that the despotic Monarch insisted on one of his Lords taking 'Carrotty Margery' to wife, and finding a wife for his quondam bedfellow amongst the ladies of the court. Today the mill has gone, but the site provides a habitat for a wide range of fascinating wildlife, and is ideal for peaceful walks, nature study and sailing on the reservoir itself. The area is a birdwatchers paradise being abundant with a wide variety of land and water species. Kings Mill is also home to the Sutton-in-Ashfield Sailing Club and The Mill Adventure Base for young people.

Date: 1968

Organisation Reference: NCCW000998

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