Monument record 11/1/2 - Civil War Weapons from Poole Hall

Whilst draining a large pond near Poole Hall in 1844, a ‘...very great number of old matchlocks, pistols, swords, halberts, etc. were found, which had evidently been deposited there when the Hall was taken by the Parliamentarians.’ (1).

During the Civil War Pool Hall was taken and pillaged by Parliamentary forces under Sir William Moreton. In the autumn of 1844 a quantity of arms, swords and pistols were dug up the grounds adjacent to the hall (2).

Some of the weapons are in the Mayer Museum, Bebington (3, 4 & 6).

‘A few years ago a pit near the Hall was cleared out, when a quantity of swords, pistols and other warlike implements were discovered. The swords were very much corroded, but sufficient remained of some to shew they had been adorned with the most costly workmanship’ (5).

In 1900 three pieces were reported to be in the Mayer Museum, Bebington.
No.60 part of a sword, 22.25ins long;
No.61 a sword, the handle of which had been originally bound with silver wire, 2ft 6.5ins long
No.62 a flint-lock pistol, 20.25ins long (6).

Findspot depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey 25" to 1 mile map (7).

<1> Sulley, P, 1889, The Hundred of Wirral, p.161 (Book). SCH3174.

<2> Mortimer W, 1847, The History of the Hundred of Wirral, p.228 (Book). SCH3160.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ37NE1.1 (Index). SCH2487.

<4> Chester Courant, 1878-1990, The Cheshire Sheaf, 2/27 & 30 (Newspaper-Magazine). SCH3105.

<5> White Francis, 1860, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Cheshire (Book). SCH1410.

<6> Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, 1849 onwards, Transactions of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, Poole M E 1900 vol.10 p.172-4 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3800.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.