Monument record 355/0/0 - Marbury Village

<1> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p.354 (Book). SCH3556.

Marbury is mentioned in the Domesday Book along with Norbury and Wirswall in one entry assigned to William Malbank. They are described as berewicks of Whitchurch (Shropshire).

<2> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol.III, p.106 (Book). SCH3228.

The earliest documentary reference dates from 1086. This source interprets the place-name as meaning ‘fortified place near a lake’.

<3> Oxford English Dictionary, 1928-2008, Oxford English Dictionary (Book). SCH5094.

A berewick is a farm forming part of the lands of a manor, which is not let out to tenants, but retained for the lord's own use. Also bury has a more specialised meaning of manor-house or large farm.

<4> AAA Archaeological Advisors, 2006, St Michael's Church, Marbury, Cheshire; Report on an Archaeological Evaluation. (Client Report). SCH4756.

‘…The earliest reference to Marbury is in Domesday from 1086. In this entry the lands of Marbury are linked with Norbury and Wirswall, in the hands of Earl Harold, and registered as outliers for 'Westone'. This is sometimes translated as Whitchurch. According to Higham (see 5) Marbury is a possible candidate for the original parish church centre for the huge parish of Great Budworth. It is doubtful whether the placename 'bury' actually implies a fortified settlement (see 3), rather a hamlet or small settlement. There does not appear to have been a manorial centre here…’

<5> Higham N J, 1993, The Origins of Cheshire, p.159 (Book). SCH3768.

Note: referenced in source (4), this text is discussing the Marbury near Northwich and not the Marbury located in the township of Marbury cum Quoisley.

<6> Morgan P (ed), 1978, Domesday Book - Cheshire, 8, 21 (Book). SCH1061.

‘…MARBURY at 1 1/2 hides; NORBURY at 1 1/2 hides; WIRSWALL at 1 hide. These lands pay tax. They were outliers, and lay in (the lands of) Whitchurch; Earl Harold held them. Land for: 5 ploughs. In lordship 1; 2 ploughmen; 2 villagers and 3 smallholders with 1 plough. Woodland 2 leagues long and 1 league and 40 perches wide. Total value before 1066, 21s; now 10s; Wirswall is waste…’