Editing Mapledurham Lock (section)

==History==
Mapledurham mill dates back to [[Domesday Book]], and the weir was probably connected to it then, although the earliest extant reference to the weir is from the time of [[Edward I of England|Edward I]].<ref name='Thacker221'>{{Harvnb|Thacker|1920|p=221}}</ref> The mill was attached to the property of [[Mapledurham House]], owned by the Blount family, who have always had an interest in the weir. There was a [[flash lock]] at the weir but passage through this was stopped at the opening of the pound lock in 1777.<ref name='Thacker222'>{{Harvnb|Thacker|1920|p=222}}</ref> The lock was built of fir on the Purley side of the river and was to be called Purley Lock. However local custom retained the old name.<ref name='Thacker222'/> A cottage was ordered for the lock-keeper in 1816. During the 19th century there were disputes between the lock-keeper William Sheppard and the Blount family. However despite Blount's representations to the Conservators, Sheppard remained in post for 54 years, retiring at the age of 79.<ref name='Thacker224'>{{Harvnb|Thacker|1920|p=224}}</ref> A new and greatly enlarged lock was built beside the old one in 1908.<ref name='Thacker225'>{{Harvnb|Thacker|1920|p=225}}</ref>

Mapledurham Mill is still functioning across the river from the lock, making this the only lock and weir combination on the Thames that supports the two functions that were originally the norm on river navigations. As both mill and navigation are now principally tourist enterprises, this no longer leads to the sort of conflicts between milling and navigation interests that were once common on the river.