Monument record 1951/2/2 - Manor of Buerton (Bruera)

Manor of Buerton. The earliest documentary reference dates from c.1220-30 (1). By the early-mid thirteenth century, it was probably the manorial residence of cadet branch of the Pulford family, who held the vill by military service at Aldford Castle. It passed by marriage to the Grosvenor family in the fourteenth century. A description suggests a house of at least nine rooms, with a drawbridge, a hall within the main building and outside a cowhouse and an orchard. Before 1472-3 Buerton passed by marriage to the Stanleys of Hooton. Probably from this time it declined as a residence. A moatempty of buildings is depicted on early-mid C19 maps (2). The order to Sir Thomas le Grosvenor to repair his lands in Churton Heath and put them into a proper state of defence against Owain Glyndwr, issued 1403-4, probably refers to this site. A writ dated 31 Jan 8 Henry VI (1429-30) 'shews that the moated site at Buerton, lying immediately to the NW of the Church of Bruera (CHER: 1951/2/1) was the Manor House' (3).

<1> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, vol .IV p.79-80 (Book). SCH3228.

<1> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol 4/79-80 (Y) (Book). SCH3228.

<2> Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME), 1986, Moat & Settlement Remains at Bruera (Unpublished Report). SCH2200.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ46SW20/1964 (Index). SCH2487.