Monument record 984/1/4 - Frodsham Manor Upper and Lower Mills

<1> Thomspon, P, 1980, Frodsham: The Archaeological Potential of a Town, p.6 (Report). SCH1251.

The earliest detail of a mill at Frodsham describes the mill. Perhaps this relates to the site of the castle mill existing in the fourteenth century. By 1280 the manor drew revenue from three mills, with a pool, but does not specify where these were. Details of repairs at the manor in 1359 include work on the Mydelmulene implying at least two other mills probably in the vicinity of the castle. Work had taken place on a watermill "made anew for the greater part" a few years earlier. An upper and lower mill are recorded at the castle. The Tithe Map (see 5) shows a mill pool on the east side of the Chester road, south-west of the castle. The second mill and miller's house lay on the north-east side of the castle adjacent to the pond. Burdett's 1777 map (see 6) indicates two mills, one of which appears north of the Chester road towards Marsh Green. In the seventeenth century a series of flagged watercourses and pool walls were repaired linking the upper pool and lower pool at Dales Yard. When the railway was built in the mid-nineteenth century both the pond and two mills were removed. The kiln attached to the upper mill was also standing at this time.

<2> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Vol.II p.53 (Book). SCH1389.

The two watermills of Frodsham formerly within the park, were pulled down about 30 years since, on the construction of the railway.

<3> Bott O J P, 1983, Cornmill sites in Cheshire 1066-1850 Part 2, p.54 (Article in Journal). SCH6105.

There were several mill sites in or near Frodsham, but the medieval references do not make it clear which specific sites were in use. It has been assumed that the Domesday mill was adjoining the castle or manor-house. Extent of the Manor of Frodsham refers in 1283 to three watermills with a pool worth £12 per annum. A 1393 Extent refers to only two mills, worth £8. There is a reference in 1360 to the "middle mill 11 , which suggests three in one area at that date. Burdett's (see 6) map shows two mills at Castle Park.

<4> Castlering Archaeology, 2004, Castle Park, Frodsham, Cheshire: Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment & Site Visit, p.3 (Client Report). SCH4578.

In 1351 'a palisade around the manor on the west side was repaired' together with repairs to the mill and the mill brook. Between 1358 and 1360, the watermill and tower of the manor were repaired. The documentary reference dating 1359 regarding work on the 'Mydelmulene' suggests that there were three mills on the site, although there is no indication of the precise location of the mills. A mill and miller's house lay on the northeast side of the castle adjacent to a pond. In the seventeenth century, a series of flags toned watercourses and pool walls were repaired linking the upper pool and lower
pool at Dales Yard and two mills are recorded on Burdett's 1777 map (see 6) on the stream, which flows from the south towards the marsh.

<5> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 162/2, c.1846 & EDT 163/2, c.1846 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

<6> Burdett, P. P., 1777, A Survey of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH113.

Depicts two watermills either side of Chester Road.

<7> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R, 13/01/2025 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

The tithe map for Frodsham Lordship (see 5) depicts a mill pool (see CHER 984/1/2) with a building at it's north-western corner, possibly the mill building. A further pond, possibly a fish pond (see CHER 984/1/1) is depicted to the south-west. To the north, the Frodsham tithe map depicts another fish pond (see CHER 984/1/3). The Frodsham Lordship tithe map (see 5) depicts abuilding at this pond's western end, possibly another mill building.

<8> Swallow, R, 2018, What law says that there has to be a castle? The castle landscape of Frodsham, Cheshire (Article in Book). SCH9736.

In 1315, the mill next to the castellum had been repaired and needed repairing again in 1361/2. Repairs to a watermill are also mentioned in 1347. The Buck Brothers’ engraving of Frodsham Castle in 1727 (reproduced in 2) shows the castle ruins...set against two water mills within the castle landscape, which were possibly those pulled down at the north of Castle Park when the railway was constructed. One or both of the mills may have formed part of a preconquest administrative centre for an Anglo-Saxon estate.