In the Beginning

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In the past Nantwich was a very different place. The oldest recorded name in the area is the Celtic 'Weaver' meaning 'winding' so a long time ago there was just the shallow, meandering river lined with reeds and surrounded by marshes. The river occasionally burst its banks. On the higher ground scrub land lead to woods and forest. Early Nantwich was far greener than it is today! The earliest people inhabiting the area would use the Weaver for drinking water, for catching fish to eat and would probably hunt along its banks for animals and birds. Evidence of primitive hunting taking place in the area has been found and can be seen in Nantwich Museum.

Later people found it easier to domesticate animals, to farm and again in the town's museum is a beautiful gold Bronze Age Bracelet. By this time, 1000-600BC, there must have been very wealthy tribes to own such jewellery.

Following the course of the River Weaver were brine springs. Brine is water containing dissolved salt. Salt was and is invaluable for the preservation of food, particularly meat, through the long harsh winters.

Early settlers quickly learned how to boil the brine and evaporate the water, leaving the salt to use themselves. A valuable commodity salt would enable the settlers to barter for other goods.

The Romans soon learned of the importance of Nantwich salt. We know that the Romans lived in the area since pottery, roof tiles and a burial urn have been discovered and placed on show in Nantwich's Museum. However, their main salt producing area was Middlewich which they called 'Salinae' or 'Salt Works' a few miles to the North. Nantwich salt production must have been fairly minimal at this time since the town doesn't feature in any accounts from the period.

The first detailed written evidence concerning Nantwich is found in the 'Doomsday Book' of 1086. After William the Conqueror defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 he demanded to know the value of his new land and furthermore its ability to yield taxes. He arranged for his commissioners to ride to every part of the land and document all people, slaves, lands, ploughs, animals, millsm, woods, fish ponds - you name it!

In the time of King Edward this Wich paid 21 pounds... When Earl Hugh acquired it, it was derelict, except for a single salthouse. Now William Malbank holds this Wich from the Earl... at a revenue of 10 pounds.

In the Doomsday Book Nantwich is referred to as 'Wich' meaning the main salt producing centre and was more valuable than Northwich and Middlewich. People, apart from those concerned with salt, are not listed as inhabitants instead must have been included for the manor of Acton nearby. These workers presumably walked the mile from Acton to Nantwich when required and stayed in temporary houses if necessary.

Keen to protect Wich the Normans erected small and very crude 'motte and bailey' castles that would be manned by just a few armed soliders at a time. One such castle was erected near the river in an area then called 'le load'. The defence worked and the then Norman lord of the land, Lord Malbank, gave his name to the developing town - 'Wich Malbank'.

From this time forward salt production increased and local workers now feeling much safer under the protection of Lord Malbank started to move closer to their work.
Communities formed and it was during this time that the foundations of the town of Nantwich would finally take root, from them rising a glorious and rich history that is still very much in evidence to this day.

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