Monument record 723/0/0 - Northwich

Northwich - 'the northern wic'. The northern-most of the Cheshire towns, the 'salt-wiches'. Northwich in Northwich hundred was originally only a few acres in extent & was an enclave of Witton township. The 'wic' ie area of salt workings, at Northwich would be the industrial estate, while the 'wic-tun' at Witton was the residential quarter. The parish church was at Witton, just outside the Northwich town boundary (RN:723/1) (1). Northwich is mentioned in Domesday in 1086. It had a revenue of 8 pounds & observed the same laws & customs concerning the salthouses & salt-boiling, as the other 2 wiches - Nantwich & Middlewich. Northwich was derelict when Earl Hugh acquired it with a value of 35s (2). A plan of Northwich dated 1619 is in the Harleian Ms, Bristol Museum (RN: 2073/49). It shows the street plan, houses and a key to their owners, the brine pit, market place and other topography details. Transcribed by Vaudrey (3).

<1> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, 2/192-193 (Y) (Book). SCH3228.

<1> Dodgson J McN, 1970-2, 1981, The Place-Names of Cheshire, vol .II p.192-193 (Book). SCH3228.

<2> Morgan P (ed), 1978, Domesday Book - Cheshire, /S3 (Y) (Book). SCH1061.

<3> Vandrey B H, 1619, Plan of Northwich transcribed from Harleian Ms, 2073/49 (Maps and Plans). SCH2661.