Monument record 1798/1 - King's Marsh Sanctuary

<1> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, vol.II p.752-3 (Book). SCH1389.

Ormerod quotes from an inquisition of c. 1309-10: " that a certain large piece of waste, called Overmersh, [surrounded by an old ditch] was in antient times ordained for strangers, of what country soever, and assigned to such as came to the peace of the earl of Chester, or to his aid, resorting there to form dwellings, but without building any fixed houses, by the means of nails or pins, save only booths and tents to live in."

<2> Davey P & Booth P H W, 1983, Coddington & Kingsmarsh: an interim note (Written Communication). SCH958.

In 1313 an inquiry found that 'Overmersh' was a waste place, surrounded by an old ditch, up to which the neighbouring townships had fixed bounds. It was the dwelling place of those seeking the protection of the earl of Chester or coming to his aid in time of war, where they might remain for a year and a day. No one could cultivate, build upon or seize the estate and the sheriff of Cheshire took an ox for every such encroachment.

<3> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, vol.IV p.75-76 (Book). SCH3228.

Overmarsh: first reference c.1294 'Ouermershce'.