Monument record 2097/1 - Manors of Leche and Merlestone

Marlston-cum-Lache formed 2 distinct manors at Domesday, Leche and Merlestone. Both had land for half a plough. Lache had been the property of the secular canons of St Werburgh, while Marlston was held by the baron of Nantwich. They were held together by the Blunts under the Earls of Chester. The manor was later the property of the Benedictine nunnery of St Mary of Chester and after the Dissolution was granted to the Breretons of Handford (1). Has been sugested as a deserted medieval village, but no evidence for such a theory (2).

<1> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1882 2/822 (Book). SCH1389.

<2> Cheshire County Council, 1974, County Treasures Record, 6/A.291 (Index). SCH1000.

<3> Morgan P (ed), 1978, Domesday Book - Cheshire, /A22+FD4.1 (Y) (Book). SCH1061.