Monument record 2591/0/2 - Mermaid's Purse Duck Decoy

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Summary

A duck decoy, built to trap wildfowl, which probably dates from the mid to late seventeenth century. The decoy, with its pond and arms, known as pipes, is constructed in the shape of a common seashore find, a mermaid’s purse (the egg case of some species of shark or skate). The decoy survived in to the mid twentieth century as an earthwork but had been ploughed flat by the early 1970s. The decoy is still visible as a cropmark, proving that subsurface archaeological remains survive.

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Type and Period (3)

Full Description

Small duck decoy built, presumably, at the same time as Brereton's Duck Decoy-1663 (1). This decoy shows very clearly on the 1947 AP (2), but there is no trace of it on the 1973 survey, a slight trace in 1983 and the SW edge is visible on the 1993 survey (3,4 & 5), although Stephens claims that the oval moat is still virtually intact today (1). The decoy is a rectangular pond, with pipes coming off at each corner, curving inwards, so that the decoy is shaped like a 'mermaid's purse'.


<1> Friends of the Meadows, 1984-2013, Friends of the Meadows Newsletter, 19/ (Newsletter). SCH1248.

<2> Various, Aerial photographs, /2218 & 2220 RAF 1947 (Aerial Photograph). SCH128.

<3> Various, Aerial photographs, 12/284-5 Huntings 1973 (Aerial Photograph). SCH128.

<4> JA Story & Partners, 1985, 1985 Story & Partners Survey, 4/170-1 (Aerial Photograph). SCH2993.

<5> Various, Aerial photographs, 7/125-6 Geonex 1993 (Aerial Photograph). SCH128.

<6> Various, Cheshire History, 38/1998-99/35-39 Nuttall D (Journal/Periodical). SCH811.

Sources/Archives (6)

  • <1> Newsletter: Friends of the Meadows. 1984-2013. Friends of the Meadows Newsletter. 19/.
  • <2> Aerial Photograph: Various. Aerial photographs. /2218 & 2220 RAF 1947.
  • <3> Aerial Photograph: Various. Aerial photographs. 12/284-5 Huntings 1973.
  • <4> Aerial Photograph: JA Story & Partners. 1985. 1985 Story & Partners Survey. 4/170-1.
  • <5> Aerial Photograph: Various. Aerial photographs. 7/125-6 Geonex 1993.
  • <6> Journal/Periodical: Various. Cheshire History. 38/1998-99/35-39 Nuttall D.

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Location

Grid reference Centred SJ 379 631 (163m by 169m) (2 map features)
Map sheet SJ36SE
Civil Parish MARLSTON CUM LACHE, CHESTER, CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
Historic Township/Parish/County MARLSTON CUM LACH, CHESTER ST MARY ON THE HILL, CHESHIRE

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Record last edited

May 2 2025 3:56PM