Monument record 984/0/0 - Frodsham

A non-defensive settlement developed at Frodsham in the Saxon period, traces of which survive in the name of Frodsham itself (Frotes-ham) and in fragments of possible Saxon sculpture in the church. Domesday describes an area of three hides paying tax, with land for nine ploughs. Of the nine ploughs, two were held by the Manor in Lordship and two by eight villagers and three smallholders. The settlement also supported a priest and a church. In 1066 the Manor belonged to Earl Edwin and was valued at eight pounds, although by 1086 it had fallen to four pounds, having in part been laid waste by William I. In 1071 Frodsham was incorporated in the Norman Earldom of Chester and a charter of 1093 granted tithes from the church to St Werburgh's Abbey, Chester. In the 1280s these were transferred to Vale Royal Abbey. The borough charter was granted by the Earl between 1209 and 1228, referring free burgages, each with an acre of land, upon the town. In 1280, 110 burgages are recorded in Frodsham although half of these were void by 1351. During the 13th and 14th centuries about 20 different trades and occupations are mentioned, although agriculture remained an essential occupation. Frodsham developed as a port until the Weaver Navigation allowed ships further upstream, from 1721. The medieval Manor levied revenue from the profits of this trade and from markets and fairs held in the town. A small dockyard developed on the west bank of the Weaver, reaching its peak during the Napoleonic Wars. Also in the 18th century a salt refinery was established on the Weaver. The medieval town was probably concentrated between Marsh Lane and the Rock and up Church Street as far as London Road. The Castle (RN: 984/1) with ancillary buildings was situated on land at the west end of the town and the church (RN: 988/1) on the hill at Overton. The medieval high street was originally further south than the present street. Main Street and High Street now have a frontage of 17th and 18th century buildings replacing earlier buildings. Frodsham Lordship consisted of the villages of Overton, Bradley, Netherton and Woodhouses (1).

<1> Thomspon, P, 1980, Frodsham: The Archaeological Potential of a Town, /2-5 (Report). SCH1251.

<2> Frodsham Local History Group, 1985, Discovering Old Frodsham, /4 (Booklet-Leaflet). SCH1051.

<3> Higham N J, 1984-9, Professor Nick Higham's Aerial Photographs, 1986/1/21 & 1986/1/23, 01/08/1986 (Aerial Photograph). SCH7659.