Monument record 10969 - Medieval Port of Chester

Several factors contributed to Chester being the principal port of the medieval period – its position as the last practicable bridging point of the river, which was tidal to this point; its position in a pronounced bend in the river made it easily defensible; and it lay on a natural highway connecting the midlands with the Irish Sea. The early medieval period therefore saw Chester rise in importance with references to Henry II using Chester as a launching point for vessels bound for Ireland in 1164. In the 14th century the port was likewise used by Edward III for officials and military purposes (4)

It was unusual as a port in that until 1559 its customs system remained outside the direct control of central government, because Cheshire had 'palatine status' and a separate administrative system. The principal quays of the port appear to have been outside the Watergate. The medieval Portmote court held in the city also dealt with legal matters arising from the Port of Chester (1)

The early medieval course of the river was bordered by the City Wall as far as the Watergate before curving away from the city around an area of salt marsh that would later form the nucleus of the Roodee. The river then returned to the city close to the castle. By the later medieval period, silting of the area around the Roodee pushed the path of the river away from the city. (3)

The navigation of the Dee was impaired because of silting up of the estuary from the beginning of 14th century and anchorages in the Dee estuary began to be used, especially Redbank, 16 miles below Chester. At these outports, goods were transferred to barges which brought the cargo to landing places further upstream, generally the Watergate. As the sea receded from Chester, efforts were made to retain for the port some of the trade by building a new quay near Neston in the Wirral peninsula in the 16th century (1) & (2).

There were several points where cargo brought into Chester was off-loaded; the closest to the city was the Shipgate immediately in the south east corner of the castle complex. This access was little more than a pedestrian arch, however, providing access to Shipgate Street up to Bridge Street. (3).

A second point was added in around 1322 when the Water Tower was built by John de Helpeston. It jutted out into the river and had mooring rings at the base of the tower. There are many refs to the Water Tower and its proximity to the river, but they are not in agreement as to how long the tower was used as a mooring point. (1)

The main focus of the medieval port remained the Watergate. In 1587, the Roodee was let to Thomas Lyneal, who was able to make a quay for boats and barges to unload at high tide near the Watergate. (1)

Trade at Chester did not significantly expand into the deep sea trade with the exception of Newfoundland. Trade with Newfoundland appeared to be a long standing link dating back to as early as 1530 and continuing until at least the late 18th century, mainly carrying goods rather than slave trade. In the late 17th and 18th century Chester also played some part in the tobacco trade from Virginia and Maryland but this remained a short lived enterprise. Throughout the 18th century Chester was also engaged in trade with South Carolina, again mainly carrying goods. (10)

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1872-1875, Metric Ten Foot Scale Town Plan of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH6780.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

<3> Ward, S. W., 1995, The Course of the River Dee at Chester (Article in Monograph). SCH6323.

<4> Laughton, J W, 1995, The port of Chester in the later Middle Ages (Article in Monograph). SCH6328.

<5> Place G.W, 1995, Parkgate and Ireland (Article in Monograph). SCH6329.

<6> Hewitt. H. J., 1925, The Trade of Chester in the reign of the three Edwards (Article in Journal). SCH5692.

<7> Jarvis R.C, 1951, The Head Port of Chester; and Liverpool, its creek and member (Article in Journal). SCH5976.

<8> Wilson K.P, 1966, The port of Chester in the fifteenth century (Article in Journal). SCH5984.

<9> Lewis C.P & Thacker A.T. (eds), 2003, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume Vi, The City of Chester - General History and Topography, p46-48; 68-72 (Book). SCH6521.

<10> Craig R, 1965, Shipping and shipbuilding in the port of Chester in the 18th and early 19th centuries (Article in Journal). SCH5980.

<11> Lloyd, Horatio, 1909, The Pentice and other ancient law courts in Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5557.

<12> Willan, T S, 1937, Chester and the Navigation of the Dee, 1600 - 1750 (Article in Journal). SCH5693.

<13> Robinson H., 1968, Cheshire River Navigation with Special Reference to the River Dee (Article in Journal). SCH5892.