Medieval Nantwich

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Whether Nantwich was a planned borough or grew up haphazardly near William Malbank's castle will probably never be established, but the town developed successfully. Before 1400, the following places are first referenced in documents and can still be found:

• High Street (1260)
• Hospital Street (1285)
• Pillory Street (1314 - 1315)
• Beam Street (1319)
• Church Lane (1336)
• Wood Street (1353)

There was also a Rethermarket, 1317 (selling young animals) and Flessherouse (meat), 1394.

By 1400 a wooden bridge crosses the River Weaver with a stone chapel for travellers dedicated to St. Anne (1398). There are similar, more elaborate bridges to be found in Derby and Wakefield. Peopl, with their goods and animals, came to trade in the market and fairs regularly. An account of the year 1386 / 87 from the manor of Newhall about five miles south of the town mentions '26 oxen to the fair at Wich, there to be sold'. An earlier survey in 1276 tells us that there are butcher's shops, a grain shop and a chandler's already in the town.

There is a church on the higher ground, nothing as magnificent as the present day St. Mary's, but a more primitive Norman building. There is development across the river and we know salt production soon expanded on both sides of Frog Row, now Welsh Row. Much wood was required for the process hence the name Wood Street. At the end of Frog Row, well out of town, is a leper refuge dedicated to St. Lawrence (1354/5). At the far end of Hospital Street, is a hospice for travellers dedicated to St. Nicholas (1083) and hence the derivation of its name. In 1283 the right to a yearly fair was granted.

By 1400, Nantwich also had some form of government as there is Pillory Street where the pillory would be used to punish wrongdoers.

Finally there is Beam Street leading to Beam Heath first mentioned in 1285 as 'a portion of land granted to the whole community of the vill of Wich Malbank'. Nantwich people had the great advantage of their own grazing area which they would guard zealously. Whoever was qualified would have to place their thumb prints on the relevant document since few would be able to write.

Is this 'dabbing' of thumbs prints a derivation of the name 'Dabber' given to someone born and bred in the town?

Between 1400 and 1500 the town grew very rapidly and the new church would be a symbol of much increased prosperity. We learn from documents of many other streets, the date after each name is the first time it appears, although it may well have been in existence for much longer:

• Frog (Welsh) Row (1412)
• Barker Street (tanning) (1421)
• Melestreet (where cereals were sold) (1434)
• le Barkerslone (1440)
• Ratunrowe (1445)
• le Crosse Pavement (with its cross) (1447)
• le Tayntre Yord (1447)
• Beaverhold (1454)
• Churchyard Side (1465)
• Mill Street (1466)
• Dog Lane (1467)
• Monkyslone (Monks) (1470)
• Twychull (1473)
• Thevis (Thieves) Lane (1488/89)
• Castle Street (1489)

A walk around Nantwich reveals strong links with its medieval past particularly in the meandering road patterns and numerous varied and small shops. There are vestiges of the early burgage plots which were still very apparent on early maps and plans throughout the town. These buildings were gable end on to the street for maximum density with long narrow gardens behind where animals could be housed at night and driven out to feed on the heath by day.
If you walk behind the modern frontages this becomes more apparent. The roof lines are fascinating. Perhaps the finest example is when you walk from the middle of Pepper Street along the alleyway which emerges half way down High Street opposite the Crown Hotel.
Similarly there are backs of shops in Hospital Street as seen from the church car park, or when you walk to the end of Queen Street (off Pillory Street, opposite Love Lane).

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