Monument record 10274 - Medieval Conduit (water supply system)

Ecclesiastical authorities of Chester were much in advance of the secular powers as regards the regular provision of water, both the Abbey of St Werburgh & Black Friars had piped water supplies from the 13th century. In contrast the citizens were supplied with unfiltered water from the Dee by the Waterleaders or Drawerers of Water.

It was not until 1536 that Dr William Wall 'began the conduit at Boughton, which came to the Bridge Gate, against Mr Brereton's house, along Dee Side, in pipes of lead'. City may have utilized the system of pipes of the smaller religious houses which were suppressed at this time. In 1549, the conduit was put in the care of the murengers.

The Conduit in Bridge Street was covered, 1567 and in 1568, plans were made for the constant supply of water at the High Cross from St Giles' well, Boughton. But it was not until 1582 that the old pipes were removed and 'new layd from Boughton Springs alonge the streetes up to the High Crosse, where the new Condieth now standeth, but not yeat finished'. In 1584, the conduit was finished - pipes were laid & a stone house was constructed for the cistern at the corner of Bridge St & Eastgate St. It had a frontage of 5 yards to Eastgate St & 3 yards to Bridge St. Stalls or shops under the conduit house were let by the Yeomen of the Pentice Court for his own benefit.

Drawing by Randle Holme shows the conduit house as a rectangular stone building of roundheaded arches supporting a cistern. It was decorated with the Arms of the City, Earls of Derby & Leicester, Mr Offley & Mr Doctor Wall. Pipes appear to have been opened & shut daily at 5 am & between 4 & 5 pm (1). The conduit continued in use for many years after the water works were transferred to the Bridgegate. In 1671, the conduit was removed from 'the corner-house at the Cross to opposite the Abbey Court' (2). However, the stone building was left in place & lithographs by G Pickering (1829) & Batenham show the building with stone arches blocked & in use as a shop (3).

<1> Morris, Rupert H (Rev.), 1894, Chester in the Plantagenet & Tudor Reigns, /282-288 (Book). SCH946.

<2> Hemingway, J., 1831, History of Chester, from its foundation to the present time. Volume 1, /405-409 (Book). SCH1436.

<3> Pickering & Batenham, 1829, Prints, Pickering & Batenham (Graphic Material). SCH2726.

<4> Lewis C.P & Thacker A.T. (eds), 2005, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume Vii, The City of Chester - The City of Chester, Culture, Buildings, Institutions (Book). SCH6522.