An Introduction to Cheshire History
Positioned near the Welsh frontier, Chester Shire gained military significance. From this point forward, Earl of Chester had autonomous powers as County Palatine.
By January 1646, Cheshire had fallen under parliamentary control with only Chester remaining under royalist control due to royalist tactical errors and the melting snow which enabled Fairfax’s attack.
History of Cheshire
Pre-Roman Cheshire remains an incomplete puzzle with pieces missing and being discovered all the time, but we know of several well-known sites and our understanding is gradually growing stronger.
In the 2500s BC, climate change caused upland Cheshire to become less suitable for arable cultivation, prompting settlements to move south towards the plains where an impressive variety of earth barrows and stone cairns were constructed as burial places, showing both architectural skill and use over multiple generations. Few can be found on higher slopes of Pennines suggesting they were not settled during this period due to poor drained soils.
Cheshire was settled by the Saxons during their occupation of Mercia; however, their rule was often harsh and oppressive. There were rebellions, with Cheshire supporting Lancastrian forces during the Wars of Roses; nevertheless its towns thrived during 17th and 18th century mining activities of rock salt deposits.
As our records are sparser during this era, fewer sources exist for research. A few local newspapers were preserved and are available as research material – particularly useful to genealogists as many articles include names of local residents as well as providing insight into social history and environment.
Early history
Mercia was one of several Saxon kingdoms that expanded their territory during the 8th and 9th centuries by including Cheshire within their borders, taking advantage of its location to trade with North Wales as well as launch attacks against Gwynedd. They constructed hill forts on lightly wooded sandstone ridges mid-Cheshire Ridge that served as natural divide between River Dee’s west-side watersheds and those on either side (Rivers Weaver and Dane respectively) providing protection from their foes in attacks from Gwynedd attacks from Gwynedd attacks from both sides – also built hill forts were built on lightly wooded sandstone mid-Cheshire Ridge which provided protection from attacks from both directions; its light wooded interior provided protection.
Contemporary chronicles describe a devastating Danish raid of the mid-9th century that caused Chester to be deserted temporarily, prompting Mercians to establish border defenses – perhaps leading to Wat’s Dyke that ran from Basingwerk in Flintshire all the way into Cheshire at close to its current western border.
Sir Peter Leicester published the Historical Antiquities of Cheshire, published in 1673, as the earliest printed work on Cheshire history. This work is often quoted by standard histories and its information incorporated into Ormerod’s work; an original edition can be found at Knutsford library along with King’s Vale Royal and Leycester’s Cheshire Antiquities; George Ormerod published four volumes covering Cheshire between 1877-1882 with two parts dealing specifically with Chester in Volume V of this history book.
Middle Ages
Popular belief holds that civilisation collapsed during the Middle Ages and only barbarism was left. However, this does not account for Roman authority having disintegrated prior to 5th century AD and that archaeological evidence suggest woodland clearing, arable farming and extensive pasture continued as practices during this time period in Cheshire despite no detailed documentary sources until after Conquest had taken place.
Medieval agriculture was largely focused on cereal crops like oats and barley that could grow on various types of soil. By the later medieval period, individual fields began being taken out of communal management through enclosure. Small farms often struggled on Cheshire’s heavy clays and infertile sands; yet its iconic ridge-and-furrow pattern of open fields survived with field boundaries modified by hedgerows or fences.
Monasteries like St Werburgh’s, Chester cathedral and Combermere Abbey were hugely influential institutions that provided worship, education and local government in Cheshire. Unfortunately, during the dissolution of monasteries most monastic houses were destroyed or transformed into mansions built by lay lords.
Cheshire society was notable for maintaining an unusually stable upper echelon throughout the Middle Ages, with many members of leading families intermarrying and creating an indelible bond within county government.
Tudor period
At the dawn of Tudor history, Cheshire still held onto an important status and identity; but as time went on it gradually lost much of its independence. Gentry and justices of the peace played key roles in Cheshire’s administration but their influence was subject to royal decree; often their links to courtiers or others with strong interests at Westminster was maintained.
Forest clearance caused a dramatic transformation to the county landscape, evidenced by cereal cultivation and discoveries of flint implements at sites like Oversley Farm, Tatton Park, and Delamere Forest. Over time this transformation could also be seen through altered patterns of woodland cover as measured through pollen data studies.
Cheshire gentry were at odds with Tudor monarchs during this turbulent era; during one visit by Henry VII to Cheshire during 1620 he attempted to win over wavering loyalists with appeals.
He ultimately lost ground amongst those active gentry who supported parliament throughout the Civil War, leading to an incident in 1659 when Berwickshire became the center of royalist rebel activity. While it could be seen that disillusionment had set in even among supporters of parliamentarian causes, this event was quickly put down and Berwickshire returned to its previous pattern of independence.
Victorian period
Cheshire has been profoundly transformed by millennia of human activity, from settlement, agriculture, industry and communication networks development. Changes have often come suddenly but even now humans’ presence can be felt across its landscape – from its highest moors to coastal marshes.
Cheshire was part of Mercia during medieval times, yet this relationship was far from secure. By the early 7th century there had been Danish raids in the north and Irish Norsemen in Wirral and west Lancashire; Ethelred of Mercia and Aethelflaed were eventually able to reach an arrangement with both groups, allowing peaceful Scandinavian settlement in northern Cheshire while leaving them free to focus their attentions on fighting Saxon threats further south.
Cheshire residents take great pride in the history and genealogy of their landed families, with many publications documenting this passion – such as Sir Peter Leicester’s 1673 work Historical Antiquities used as the basis for Ormerod and Earwaker family trees; John Poole published a booklet in 1778 which became part of D & S Lysons (CRO) standard work “History of County Palatine and City of Chester”
Prior to 1543, Cheshire consisted of only three corporate boroughs that were administered independently from one another and no representation in Parliament. Beginning then, Cheshire, like every other English county, lost its palatinate status and its way of administration was gradually altered.
Modern period
Cheshire may appear wild at first glance, yet mankind’s influence can still be felt throughout its landscape – from high moors to coastal marshes and everything in between. His impact can be felt everywhere you look!
Offa, the Mercian ruler who constructed his famous dyke to establish a border between Wales and Mercia in the 7th century, and raiding continued both ways across that border. Mercia was an unstable society at that time; even later on, chroniclers spoke of food riots erupting at Macclesfield when resources became scarce.
The Norman conquest had a significant effect on Cheshire. The county lost its palatinate status, while landed gentry became dominant. By the 16th century there was an established tradition among leading families that can be seen through two thirds of active justices of the peace being members of ancient Cheshire families and many having long resided on their own lands.
Over the 18th and 19th centuries, Cheshire saw increasing industrialisation, with factories mushrooming across its towns. Meanwhile, radicalism among workers led to civil unrest as evidenced by riots at Macclesfield and Stockport between 1757-1762, then again during food shortages in 1800. Meanwhile, economic prosperity brought many new families into Cheshire, such that by late 19th century there were very few Cheshire families left in Cheshire; many had since been amalgamated into neighbouring counties.
