Monument record 837/0/0 - Forest of Mara and Mondrem

Forests of Mara & Mondrem (Delamere).Covered the area from Nantwich to the Mersey & from the Weaver to the Gowy.The N. district was Mara or La Mara & the S. district, Mondrem.The parts were divided by a road called Peytevinisti, which is thought to have passed through or near Cuddington.The jurisdiction of the forests was originally vested in 4 families-the Kingsleys of Kingsley, the Grosvenors of Budworth, the Weavers of Weaverham & the Mertons of Merton.In 1128 the Earl of Chester bestowed the jurisdiction on Ralph de Kingsley, the right being symbolised by the possession of a 14inch black & gold horn, known as the 'Delamere Horn'.The forests later passed through marriage to the Dones of Utkinton.The chief forester had 8 underforesters & 2 garcons, & the position became one of privilege.Many fines existed including those for unauthorised improvement, removal of timber & allowing cattle into the forest, although certain manors & the Abbeys of Vale Royal & St Werburgh were exempt. Gradually certain areas were enclosed & by 1812 only a small area in Mara remained(1,2,3).List of villages within forests (1).

<1> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 2/107 (Y) (Book). SCH1389.

<2> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 20/1-28 Harrison W 1902 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<3> Latham F A, 1975, Cuddington & Sandiway, /16-19 (Oral Communication). SCH1024.

<4> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 2/172-8 Harris B 1979 (Book). SCH3556.

<5> Fairhurst J M, 1988, A Landscape Interpretation of Delamere Forest (Unpublished Report). SCH97.