Monument record 11105 - St James Chapel & Delves Chantry, Handbridge

A hermitage is recorded at the south end of the Old Dee Bridge between the river and the quarry east of the bridge. It was believed to have been built by John Spicer by around 1358 who surrounded it by a walled enclosure. In 1367 an oratory was added there. (1) (2)

John Benet was later accused of receiving robbers, sheltering common malefactors and keeping a brothel in a hermitage in Handbridge. In 1456 the mayor & sherrifs were ordered to investigate the conduct of his successor Jeven ap Bleth' ap Carwet. (2)

The chapel yard survived until the mid 16th century when it was described as a vacant place suggesting the buildings had been demolished. (1)

A chapel in Handbridge dedicated to St James and a chantry was also founded there by Sir John Delves in 1396 and possibly refers to the same site (1). Sir John Delves of Doddington was Deputy Justice of Chester. By his last will (16 August 1396), he largely endowed the chantry just before his death in the same year (2). A hermitage is recorded in the chapel from the 15th century, under the patronage of the Crown. Hermit Jn. Benet is recorded in 1450 and Ieuan in 1455 (3).

<1> Harris, B E (ed), 1980, A History of the County of Chester: Volume III, p127 (Book). SCH6524.

<2> 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, p158 (Book). SCH6522.

<3> Clay R M, 1914, Hermits and Anchorites of England, /62,208-209 (Book). SCH1340.

<4> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1882 /519 (Book). SCH1389.

<5> Jones, D., 1957, The Church in Chester 1300-1540, /8 (Book). SCH3106.

<6> Morris, Rupert H (Rev.), 1894, Chester in the Plantagenet & Tudor Reigns, /168 (Book). SCH946.