Kepier

Kepier is a location in County Durham, in England. It is situated on the River Wear, close to Gilesgate, Durham. It lies in the parish of Belmont.

Kepier is notable as the location of the medieval Hospital of St Giles at Kepier.

The name derives from 'Kipe weir', meaning a weir with a fish trap and the convenience of being close to a source of fish (a major part of the monastic diet) may have influenced the location of the hospital.

Kepier was also the site of a medieval cornmill which continued in use until its destruction by fire on September 24 1870 caused by a spark from the grinding of the stone millwheels. The mill was never rebuilt, with only a stone arch over the remains of the mill race remaining.

Kepier may also have been the site of a Roman crossing of the River Wear.

The Kepier estate previously extended over much of Gilesgate, Gilesgate Moor and Carrville.

References

*Meade, Dorothy M. "Kepier Hospital". Turnstone Ventures, 1995. ISBN 0-946105-10-3
*Watts, Victor. "A Dictionary of County Durham Place-Names". English Place-Name Society, Nottingham, 2002. ISBN 0-904889-65-3

External links

* [http://www.thenortheast.fsnet.co.uk/DurhamCityGilesgate.htm North East History Pages on Kepier and Gilesgate]
* [http://www.northeasthistory.co.uk/the_north_east/history/echomemories/durham/404/221004.html Northern Echo Durham Memories article including Kepier estate under lay ownership, 22/10/04]
* [http://www.northeasthistory.co.uk/the_north_east/leisure/DURMEM250403.html Northern Echo Durham Memories article on Gilesgate and Kepier, 25/04/03]
* [http://www.northeasthistory.co.uk/the_north_east/leisure/DURMEM050903.html Northern Echo Durham Memories article on medieval farming around Durham, 05/09/03]