Monument record 1292 - Norshaw

Norshaw or Northshaw. A secondary settlement of Tatton. First mentioned in the 13th century (1). It probably lay some distance to the north-east of Tatton (2).

Still apparent on 1733 mapping as a settlement of three small nuclei, all of which had medieval antecedents. There were tenements fronting Birken Heath. (3)

Air photos show ditched roadway running NE to SW, with many ditched enclosures on either side, containing ridge and furrow. Also many rectangular depressions, which may be house platforms or marls pits. [NB. This evidence is taken to represent the settlement of Hazelhurst on the Cheshire SMR, but its given location at ngr SJ75708250 clearly indicates that the remains relate to Norshaw]. (4)

The site was visited by C.Crowe in 1998. He concluded that little could be found to support the idea that this was the remains of a settlement. The rectangular enclosures visible on aerial photographs have been formed by the action of running water over sand creating deep gullies running down to the brook. There were the remains of ridge and furrow in all the enclosures and to the north there were shallow pits which were possibly dug for sand. There was no pottery scattered on the surface, nor any other traces of habitation. He concluded that not only was this site not of national importance, but also was not that of a medieval settlement. (5)

Hussey, John, 1974, Redrawing of 1733 Hussey Tatton Estate Map (Maps and Plans). SCH4969.

<1> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, vol .II p.64 (Book). SCH3228.

<2> County Historic Environment Record, 1973-1985, Cheshire Archaeological Bulletin, 4/7 Williams S R 1976 (Journal/Periodical). SCH565.

<3> Higham N.J., Aylett P,. Smith J.H., 2001, The Tatton Park Project, Part 3: The Post-Medieval Estate and Halls; Grandeur to Decline, p.85-88 (Article in Journal). SCH4938.

<4> Various, Aerial photographs, Higham, N. 1984. NJH 3504/8 (Aerial Photograph). SCH128.

<5> Crowe C, 1999, MPP Report Form. (Paper Archive). SCH4961.