Building record 252/1 - Site of Eardswick Hall and Moat

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ 65 NE 3 (Index). SCH2487.

Eardswick Hall at Minshull Vernon, which was demolished in 1848 (see 2), was “a quadrangular buildings of timber, stone, and moated…built by the Minshulls” (see 3), who owned it up to the close of the seventeenth century. Ormerod (see 3) illustrates the old hall (see A0/60/218/7). Eardswick Hall, shown on the Ordnance Survey 6” 1911 at SJ 6736 6000, may be the site of the old hall. [Gordon M.S. 13/05/1960].

The remains of a rectangular homestead moat were located at SJ 6730 5997. They have been surveyed and annotated on 25” A.M. No trace of early fabric in situ was found in the present Eardswick Hall. [White J.H., F.I., 11/08/1960].

Published Survey (25” 1963) checked and found correct. [Waggot T.P., F.I., 30/09/1964].

<2> Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 1849 onwards, Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, Vol.II p.90-91 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3800.

In the year 1848 the estate was purchased by Edward Loyd, and in 1849 the old house was entirely taken down. The Hall had been surrounded by a moat; some part of which might still be seen while the old mansion stood. It contained also a beautiful oak chimney piece, and some well carved doors, which have been purchased and are now preserved by Henry Brooke, of Minshull. The old Hall is described (see 4) as a “quadrangular building, of timber, stone, and brick, and moated..it was built by the Minshulls”.

<3> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.III p.224 (Book). SCH1389.

Details of ownership from 1322 and illustration of the Old Hall. It is described as a “venerable quadrangular mansion, of stone, brick, and timber, but abandoned to decay, and only partly inhabited. The situation is within a moat, in the more elevated part of the township”. The high-pitched roof was described as of singular beauty. The revision notes that the building is no longer extant. The illustration depicts a substantial rectangular house of two to three three storeys, with large front gables. The left hand gable end shows a jetty at the first floor. The main portion is in stone with long mullioned and transomed windows with hood moulds. The bay to left has decorated timber framing, as have the gables above each bay, and may project as a short wing (which would mean the supposed front gable here is the gable end to the wing). The two bays to the right are elevated on columns or pillars possibly indicating an entrace to a courtyard or storage for farm or other vehicles. There appears to be a disparity between the floor levels in the two bays on the right compared to those in the bays on the left, evidenced by differing window heights.The illustration also shows a water filled moat and with a stone bridge across.

<4> Gastrell F, 1845-1850, Notitia Cestriensis, or historical notices of the diocese of Chester, p.250 (Article in Journal). SCH2290.

Eardswick Hall a quadrangular buildings of timber, stone, and moated. It was built by the Minshulls.

<5> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

This map depicts the Old Hall and the south-western arm, and south-eastern corner, of the moat.

<6> Environment Agency, 2003-2020, Environment Agency LiDAR Surveys, Composite DTM 1m (2022) (Digital Archive). SCH7819.

The south-western, north-western, and north-eastern arms of the moat are clealy visible as earthworks. The south-eastern arm appears to have been infilled and is occupied by part of the later hall.