It was one of the many new methods introduced during the British Agricultural Revolution that increased crop yields and allowed for the development of large cities.
After two years, "I began to expostulate with myself what was best to be done to preserve my reputation with my martiall companions, and with-all to give contentment to my vertuous and loving wife".
Millers were long considered the least honest workmen, and Rowland was less than impressed with the duty, complaining it "therefore requires the more paines to be taken in watching their water, & looking to their fingers."
[2] Six years later, in 1610 Rowland published a book describing the system, Most Approved and Long experienced Water Workes containing The manner of Winter and Summer drowning.
[3] An account was also published describing a similar system in the Wylye Valley in Wiltshire, but the name of the author is lost to history.
The Turnastone fields were purchased in January 2003 by the Countryside Restoration Trust to save the meadows from being turned into a potato farm.
Although they are no longer filled with water, the irrigation system, including the Trench Royal, are still obvious features of the plot.