Monument record 11152 - Handbridge

A settlement at Handbridge is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, then referred to simply as ‘Bruge’ meaning place of the bridge. The extension to the name began to appear in texts from 1150 onwards as ‘Honebrugge’, Hondbrigg in 1285. (1)

The core of the medieval settlement was centred around Handbridge High Street at the southern end of Dee Bridge. To the east croft houses belonging to millers and fishermen were recorded in the 13th century. (2)

Three manors are mentioned in Domesday for Handbridge, at which point the village was already termed a suburb when it was granted to Hugh Lupus (3)

<1> Dodgson J., 1968, Place names and Street names at Chester, p57-58 (Article in Journal). SCH5891.

<2> 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, p215 (Book). SCH6521.

<3> Morgan P (ed), 1978, Domesday Book - Cheshire (Book). SCH1061.