Building record 1563/3/1 - Macclesfield Castle

Macclesfield Castle - the most interesting of Macclesfield's townhouses. Built by John de Macclesfield at the end of C14. He was an important courtier under Richard II and applied for a licence to crenellate his new house in Macclesfield in 1398 and 1399. This was confirmed in 1410, by which time Henry IV was Monarch and John de Macclesfield had retired to his house in Macclesfield. The house was built on four adjacent burgage plots on the east side of Le Walgate (now Mill Street), immediately south of Souters Lane (now Back Wallgate). The acquisition of the land began in 1392 and was complete by 1938. Eventually John's holdings extended over a frontage of 30- 40m, down to the River Bollin, with an acre of 2,800 sq.m. By l444, the Dukes of Buckingham had bought the de Macclesfield estates from John de Macclesfield's descendants. They extended and enriched the mansion, but their lavish lifestyle led to their bankruptcy and withdrawal from Macclesfield. The castle was then leased by the Savage family, who grew to prominence in the town (1) & (2). In 1585 the house was described as ruinous, and square in plan with two wings and five turrets, one central and one at each angle. It was surrounded by a strong wall and contained a courtyard, stables, kennels and outbuildings (3). By C17 the holding had become redivided into its four plots. From 1793-1811 a room in the castle was used by the Roman Catholic congregation. By C20 the building was reduced to a porch and some of the curtain wall (1) & (2).

<1> Turner, RC, 1985, Notes on Medieval Macclesfield (Unpublished Report). SCH2286.

<2> Turner, RC, 1986, Macclesfield Castle (Unpublished Report). SCH2059.

<3> King, D, Streater, J, Crew, R, Chaloner, J, Lee, S, Webb, W, Smith, W, 1656, The Vale-Royall of England, or, The County Palatine of Chester Illustrated (Book). SCH3248.

<3> King, D, Grose, F, Pennant, T, Leycester, P, Lee, S, Webb, W, Smith, W, 1778, The History of Cheshire: Containing King's Vale-Royal Entire. (Book). SCH8641.

<4> Halstead D, 1932, Ancient Monuments Society Year Book, /39-44 (Book). SCH257.

<5> Unknown, History of the Macclesfield Castle (Oral Communication). SCH1448.

<6> Ancient Monuments Society, Various, Transactions of the Ancient Monuments Society, 20/64-5 1973 Angus-Butterowrth L M (Journal/Periodical). SCH3287.

<8> Earwaker, J P, 1877-1880, East Cheshire Past & Present, 2/1880/776 (Y) (Book). SCH1080.

<9> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1888 3/742 (Book). SCH1389.

<10> Ancient Monuments Society, Various, Transactions of the Ancient Monuments Society, 31/134-145 1987 Turner R C (Journal/Periodical). SCH3287.