Monument record 1298/11/0 - Tatton manorial lands

Many Domesday vills incorporated two or more manors, such as at Tatton, which appears twice for the two manors in separate ownership in both 1066 and 1086. It is unlikely to be coincidence that 13th-14th century documents also reveal the existence of two manors at Tatton, one described as 'Tatton' and one as 'Norshaw, in the vill of Tatton'. Later evidence implies that throughout the period these holdings were always geographically distinct blocks of land rather than interspersed holdings. The boundary between the two manors probably lay along a deeply indented stream that runs from a spring near the post-emparkment fishponds to the Tatton Brook. The boundary is continued westwards by a hedgeline to the old Tatton to Rostherne road. To the east of Tatton Brook another continuous hedgeline appears to define the boundary in an eastwards direction. (1)

The manor held in 1086 by William fitz Nigel, Baron of Halton, should be identified with the larger of the two manors, in which lie both Tatton Hall and the Old Hall. There is no indication that William maintained a hall or court here, but maintained his household at Halton Castle within the main core of his estates. Such distant lordship was a characteristic of the Hundred throughout the C12th and C13th. Further detailed descriptions given. (1)

In 1086 the main Tatton manor, now granted to a Norman, William, baron of Halton, had 7 recorded households, 3 peasant farmers and 4 cottages. The smaller manor had 9 households of whom 2 were serfs, 2 peasant farmers and 4 cottages. The total population was at least something between 70 and 100 persons, and may have been greater. The main manor at Tatton had become fragmented by 1200. A new priory at Mobberley acquired several parcels of land in the early 13th century, two of which were either side of the road to Knutsford to the east of the Mere, in the area that was still wooded. This they were allowed to fence off, and they also had fishing rights on the Great Mere, which was at that time far smaller than Tatton Mere today, and only one of several meres along the stream. This land, called Hazelhurst, eventually came by sale to Richard de Massey who made of it a park, and obtained royal licence in 1290 to divert the Knutsford Road round the west side, presumably through what is now Dog Wood, where a public footpath today may perpetuate the existence of this right of way. Richard de Massey and his wife Isabella inherited a toe-hold in both the Tatton manors and purchased much more during the last quarter of the 13th century, replacing the de Tatton family as principal landholders, as well as assembling a number of lesser holdings by purchase from Tatton villagers. Richard was influential in Cheshire and would have been prosperous. He was granted right of free warren in 1294. At this time Tatton was probably rather over-populated. Records mention 2 generations of fullers at Norshaw, and a tailor, a sawyer, shepherd, carver, ‘grachere’, as wwell as a Richard the Chaplain early in the 14th century. Documents refer to a number of fields and furlongs suggestive of an extensive open fields system, and new agreements concerning the use of woodland might imply that little of this remained. Evidence would suggest that the village buildings used timber sparingly. The site of the ‘hallmote’ of the early 13th century is not known, nor is it clear where Richard Massey and his heirs resided in Tatton. (2)

By 1400 the picture changed. The farm was abandoned and never re-occupied. Tatton itself was not abandoned, but there was shrinkage in the number of farms operating, even though the property boundaries remained. This was probably part of the national picture resulting from the spread of plague from c.1350-1430. Accompanied by conversion of fields into sheep pastures. (2)

In the reign of William the Conqueror, William Fitz-Nigell baron of Halton, held one half of Tatton, which one Erchbrand held formerly. And Ranulfus held the other half, which one Leuvinus held before: so Domesday informs us. About one hundred years later Alanus de Tatton possessed the manor of Tatton. William, son of William, son of Quenild de Tatton, granted a great part of Tatton unto Sir Richard Massy and Isabel his wife circa 1286, which Peter Hackham, then prior of the Hospital of ST John of Jerusalem in England, confirmed. Also it appears that Nicholas de Alditheley granted to Sir Richard Massy and Isabel his wife, all his lands in Tatton and Owlarton. This was about 1286. Sir Richard Massy was possessed of all or most part of Tatton in the reign of Edward I. He was sheriff of Cheshire 6th Edward I (1278) and judge of Chester 28th Edward I (1300). He was knighted about 14th Edward I, and granted liberty of free warren in all his demain lands of Rosthorn, Tatton, Owlarton etc etc; dated at Westminster 4th December 1294. He died in 1305 without heir, his brother Robert Massy succeeding in his inheritance. Detailed account of successions from this time to the time of writing this account. (3)

<1> Higham N.J, 1999, The Tatton Park Project, Part 2: The Medieval Estates, Settlements and Halls.JCAS, p.64-71 (Article in Journal). SCH4937.

<2> Higham N J & Aylett P, 1990, A Short History of Tatton, p.4 (Booklet-Leaflet). SCH4950.

<3> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, p.344-48 OR p.439-46 (Book). SCH1389.