Monument record 254/1/1 - Watfield Pavement

<1> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ65 NW3, Gordon MS, 16/06/1960 (Index). SCH2487.

Various authorities have attempted to incorporate the Watfield Pavement as part of the unproved course of the so-called Via Devana (Chester to Chesterton section), but the only evidence encountered to attest the antiquity of the road and name are mentions in 1138 (see 2), 1506 (see 3) and 1594 (see 3). Ogilby (see 4) shows the Watfield Pavement as part of the London to Holyhead road on his map of 1675.

Watkins (see 2) states that Foote-Gower (see 6) says that it was known as 'Stone Street' in Saxon times, that in a deed of 1138 it was called 'Wath-feldd-Stan-Strete', and that it makes its appearance again in the parish of Acton. Hall (see 5) states that 'Wallfield' in Nantwich (name SJ 651526), and the adjacent fields 'Causey Croft' (Causeway Field) in Henhull and 'Causeway Meadow' in Nantwich, are in the line of the Watfield Pavement. These are centred on SJ 648 529, but other 'Causeway Fields' are centred on SL 642 525 and SJ 647 516, the name being common in the district.

<2> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p.59-63 (Book). SCH2878.

“…The line if produced points towards "Highway Side," to the north of which is a tumulus, or near Calverly Station, where it joined the "Watfield Pavement”, and another road from the north-west falls in (which seems a continuation of the latter). For the next two miles the line is upon this "pavement," which is a wide, raised, rounded road, but now much worn. Passing through Wardle on the modern road, it leaves the latter just beyond that village, and its traces are occasionally found in the fields pointing direct to the "Wall Field" at Nantwich…”

<3> Chester Courant, 1878-1990, The Cheshire Sheaf, 3rd Series v.18, p.108, no.4480 & v.21, p.26, no.5033 (Newspaper-Magazine). SCH3105.

[4480] The will of Hugh Philcok (dated 1506) makes provisions for the repair of the'…Wetselt (Wet Felt) pavement…' and the highway between the '...Wetselt pavement and the Wyche…'.

[5033] Letter from Lord Burley to the Mayor of Chester regarding the repair of the Watfield Pavement (dated February 1594). Refers to '...certain lands of good value given to the maintenance of a long pavement between Natwich and Chester…'.

<4> Ogilby J, 1675, Britannia Atlas, pl.23 (Maps and Plans). SCH2109.

<5> Hall J, 1883, A History of the Town and Parish of Nantwich or Wich-Malbank in the County Palatine of Chester, p.7 (Book). SCH80.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ65 NW3, White JH (Field Inspector), 03/08/1960 (Index). SCH2487.

Watfield Pavement is now a modern highway. No trace of antiquity was found during field investigation.

<7> Gower F, 1768-1800, Foote Gower Manuscripts, B.M. Add. MSS. 11, 338, fo. 70 (Manuscript). SCH963.

<8> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 413/2 1839 & EDT 84/2 1849 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

<9> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 16/11/2017 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The tithe awards for Wardle and Calveley record a number (one and eight) of fields named 'Pavement Field' (see 8). These lie adjacent to the present road and may record earlier alignments of the Via Devana. However, it is more probable that these fields are the '…certain lands of good value..' mentioned in 1594, whose rent and/or produce was given over for the maintence of the road (see 3).

<10> Lawrence K, 2013, The Turnpike Roads Around Nantwich, p.20 (Report). SCH8349.

The Watfield Pavement was named after the founder of the road. In 1670 a messuage or dwelling house with appurtenance was owned by the Mayor and Citizens of Chester; the rent was to be spent on the repair and maintenance of the road. However by 1853 the land was in the ownership of the Turnpike Trust in exoneration of Calveley’s liability for repairs to the road.

<11> Bowen E, c.1760, An Accurate Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH8350.

Depicts and labels the Watfield Pavement.

<12> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.II p.9 (Book). SCH1389.

'...Along this township lie the well-known pavements or stone causeway, called Watfield-Pavement, so termed of the founder, and to the repairing of which was given a pretty house, and grounds to it, situate in the middle thereof; the pavement itself being two miles in length, and the disposing and government thereof left to the citizens of Chester…'

<13> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, Vol.III p.323 (Book). SCH3228.

Various references dating from 1363 to 1840. The place-name may derive from 'wheat field', from hwiete and feld, with pavement and caucie. The suggestion that the derivation of this road-name from some person may reflect an honest tradition, but no evidence for it is available. The road runs straight, from Bar Bridge to Calveley, and forms the boundary between Calveley & Wardle townships. It is part of a route from Nantwich to Chester through Tarporley.

<14> Longley D, 1977-1978, Longley Archive, No. 242 (Paper Archive). SCH2005.