Monument record 1083/0/0 - Middlewich

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Summary

Middlewich is so named because it was the "middlemost wic' or salt town in saxon times. In the Domesday survey, Middlewich was described as a salt producing centre, with profits shared between the King and Earl Edwin. Middlewich was never granted a charter but showed signs of burghal features during the 12th and 13th century. The town belonged to Earl of Chester and the Crown, but it was leased out to groups and individuals The religious houses of Dieulacres, Basugwerk and Vale Royal Abbey all had property in town in 13th and 15th century including salthouses. In the 13th and 14th centuries the town was contained round the church. By the 17th century, King St, Kinderton St, Wichhouse St, Lewin St, Wheelock St, Pepper Lane, Cow Lane and Dog Lane defined the extent of the town. Most of the buildings in Wheelock St are 18th century or later, but occupy long narrow medieval burgage plots. At the end of the 18th century the Trent and Mersey canal was constructed through the town and the railway was laid out in the 1870s.

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Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Middlewich-"middlemost wic' or salt town. In Domesday, Middlewich was described as a salt producing centre, with profits shared btwn the King & Earl Edwin. It was valued at 8, but by 1086 was 25 sh. Middlewich was never granted a charter, but exhibited burghal features during C12-14. The town belonged to Erl of Chester & Crown, but it was leased out to Groups & individuals. A no. of religious hses held land & salthses in town. Dieulacres, Basugwerk & Vale Royal Abbey all had property in town in C13-15. In C13-14 the town was contained round the church, Lewis St, Wheelock St & Kinderton St. This overlies the area where brine appears on the surface. The town was badly damaged by fire in 1281. In C17 King St, Kinderton St, Wichhouse St, Lewin St, Wheelock St, Pepper Lane, Cow Lane & Dog Lane defined the ext of the town. Most bldgs in Wheelock St are C18 & later, but occupy long narrow med. burgage plots. At end of C18 T & M Canal was constructed through town & in 1870s railway was laid out (1).


<1> Thompson, P, 1981, Middlewich: The Archaeological Potential of a Town, /3-10 (Report). SCH2194.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Report: Thompson, P. 1981. Middlewich: The Archaeological Potential of a Town. Cheshire Monographs 2. /3-10.

Related Monuments/Buildings (9)

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Location

Grid reference SJ 704 662 (point) 8 Figure Ref
Map sheet SJ76NW
Civil Parish MIDDLEWICH, CONGLETON, CHESHIRE EAST
Historic Township/Parish/County MIDDLEWICH, MIDDLEWICH, CHESHIRE

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Record last edited

Sep 20 2018 2:47PM