8

STOCKPORT: THE DEVELOPMENT

OF THE TOWN

A S Tindall

The town of Stockport stands on a steep-sidedpromontary of red sandstone on the south bank ofthe River Mersey. A settlement first arose here fortwo main reasons. Firstly, this was an importantfording-point of the Mersey: immediately upstream,it divides to form the rivers Goyt and Tame, andStockport was thus the most easterly point at whichthe river could be conveniently crossed as a singleford. Secondly, the spur on which it stands formeda natural stronghold: to the north-east and north-west the Rivers Goyt and Mersey formed a naturalbarrier, as well as eroding the soft red sandstonesides of the spur into steep cliffs. Likewise, theHempshaw Brook cut a deep valley (which laterbecame Little Underbank) along its south-westernside. At either end of the Hempshaw Valley was a'carr', or marsh, which further enhanced thesite's defensibility. Thus, the promontary wasnaturally defended by marsh, river or cliff on allbut the south-eastern side, where a tongue of landconnected it to the higher ground now occupied bythe Rectory. In recent centuries, urban developmenthas largely disguised the dramatic topography ofthis area, and lessened the appearance of impreg-nability it must once have presented.

EARLY HISTORY

At what period a settlement first grew up here isnot known, although it seems very likely that alightly-wooded sandstone spur at a major ford wouldhave proved as attractive to settlement in pre-historic as in later times. However, the onlyarchaeological evidence of prehistoric settlementin the area consists of isolated discoveries alongthe river terraces. They include cremation burialsfound at Cheadle in 1872 (Jackson 1934-5, 98), andPortwood in 1896 (TLCAS 1896), a stone axe-hammerfound at Brinnington in 1889 (Shone 191 I, 41), andtwo bronze axe-heads or 'palstaves' found atAdswood in 1892 (TLCAS 1894) and 1932 (Jackson1936, I 15-6). All may be assigned to the Early-Middle Bronze Age, C2500-I200BC.

The evidence for Roman occupation in Stockport isagain largely circumstantial. The Roman road from

Mamucium (Manchester) to Aquae Arnemetiae (Buxton)forded the Mersey at Stockport. The exact positionof the ford has been a matter of some debate, butis generally believed to have been situated somedistance upstream from the present LancashireBridge, around Tiviot Dale. Thus, a likely routefor the Roman road would have been up modernVernon Street, across the plateau of Market Placeand thence either alonq Churchqate or down Meal-house Brow, across the Hempshaw Brook, and alongHillgate.

Its position on the Roman road and its undoubtedstrategic value have led to suggestions that aRoman military station may have existed atStockport. The archaeological evidence however, isinconclusive. The 18th century antiquarian, WilliamStukeley, recorded that a coin of the EmperorHonorius (AD 393-423) was found in January 1751during the levelling of the castle (Watkin 1886,293-4). Other 18th century reports speak of thediscovery of "tesselated pavements' at Mile End andCastle Hill, and of 'coins, paterae and Romanimplements' elsewhere in the town (Powlesland.1974). In 1896, tiles found near the Garrick's Headpublic house on Park Street (CNQ 1896-7) wereinterpreted as the remains of a bath-house, butthere is no evidence that they were of Roman date.

With the exception of the coin, this evidence mustbe treated with some caution, especially since,even if a military station did exist at Stockport,there would be little reason to expect it to dis-play such refinements as tesselated pavements or abath-house. The confirmation, or otherwise, ofStockport's status as a Roman station is a matterof high archaeological priority.

MEDIEVAL STOCKPORT

Although it is not named in the Domesday Survey of1086, the name 'Stockport' is Anglo-Saxon, and sug-gests that some form of pre-Conquest settlementexisted here. The name first appears as 'Stokeport'- meaning 'the market-place at a hamjet'-in thelate 12th century, although variations such as

Plate 1 Stockport Market Place, looking south

'Stopford1 and 'Stoppard' continued in use untilthe 14th century (Dodgson 1970, 294-5).

At the time of the Domesday Survey much of thelandscape surrounding Stockport would have beenheavily wooded: most notably to the south and east,where the great Macclesfield Forest extended as farnorth as Romiley. At this time the manor ofStockport formed part of the Cheshire estates ofthe de Spencer family, but was held under them bythe de Stokeports: a Norman family who had adoptedthe place-name as their own. In 1265, the deSpencer estates were confiscated by the Faris ofChester as a punishment for their support of therebel Simon de Montfort, but by 1327 the lands hadbeen returned to their former owners. Despite thesepolitical changes, the de Stokeport family continu-ed to hold and administer the manor of Stockportuntil it passed by marriage to the de Etton familyand thence, in 1381, to the de Warrens of Poynton.It was the de Warren family who first adopted thetitle 'Barons' of Stockport (Earwaker 1877, 331-43).

In his 'History of Henry II1 Benedict, Abbot ofPeterborough, records that, amongst those thatrebelled against the king was his son, Geoffrey deConstantine, who held 'the castle of Stokeporta'against his father in 1173 (Earwaker 1877, 330).The historian Lcland likewise noted in his'Collcctenea1 that, according to the testimony ofWalter de Coventry, 'Geoffrey de Constantine heldthe castle of Stokeport'. Thus, there is docu-mentary evidence that a castle existed at Stockportby 1173. Its exact form is unknown, but it probablyconsisted of a simple 'motte', or mound, surmountedby a timber tower which was later replaced instone. Its site is marked by the modern 'CastleYard'. As frequently happened to castles fortified

in the 12th century Stockport Castle was allowed tofall into disrepair during the 13th century, and adeed of 1336 refers to the site as 'Castle Hill1

(Earwaker 1877, 330): perhaps suggesting that evenby this early date it was no longer considered afunctioning castle. Its demise was hastened whenthe estate passed to the de Warren family in thelate 14th century, since they preferred to occupytheir manor house at Poynton rather than the castleat Stockport.

Apart from a deed of 1537 (Earwaker 1877, 350),which demonstrates that the 'bastile room,' ordungeon, of the castle survived at that date, thelater history of the castle is largely unknown. In1642, the so-called 'Pacification' agreementproposed that "certain fortifications lately madeat Chester, Nantwich, Stockport, Knutsford or anyother town in Cheshire by either party" (Earwaker1877,331) be demolished. Although this may refer toa refurbishment of the castle, it seems more likelythat it refers to the type of temporary earthworkswidely constructed at the outbreak of the CivilWar, and, according to one authority, located tothe east of the parish church. In 1853, the castlearea was partially levelled to accommodate a cattlemarket, and in 1775 it was totally levelled and alarge circular building erected on its foundationsby Sir George Warren, then Baron of Stockport(Powlesland 1974,4).

The Parish Church of St Mary was almost certainlyfounded by the 12th century. A charter of cl 190 waswitnessed by one 'Matthew, Clericus de Stokeport',suggesting that a parish church already existed atthis time, and from c!300 onwards, the rectors ofthe church are recorded by name (Earwaker 1877,380). These would have been selected by the Barons

71

of Stockport, since the right of 'advowsbn', orpatronage of the parish church, was includedamonqst the powers of the lords of the manor. Thepresent red sandstone fabric of the church datesmainly from 1813, and of the 14th century fabric 'only the Decorated chancel survives (Richards1947). Originally it consisted of a tower, a naveand aisles (each with its own chancel), and twoprivate chancels, all constructed in the 14thcentury Decorated style.

During the medieval period, the development ofStockport from market-hamlet to town is reflected .in two important documents. Around 1260, the townwas made a free borough when Sir Robert deStokeport granted its charter (Earwaker 1877,334-5). This document set out the extensive powers andprivileges of the lords of the manor, as well as "laying the foundations of Stockport's municipal andjudicial system, which survived into the 19thcentury. Also,in 1260, the Earl of Chester grantedthe de Stokeports the right to hold a market everyfriday, and an annual fair. This probably merelyformalised existing practice, since the name'Stokeport1 implies the existence of a market sincethe Anglo-Saxon period.

The physical development of the town is lessclearly understood. It is certain that, by themedieval period, the ford at Stockport had beensuperceded by a bridge some distance downstream.This is first recorded in 1377, but the family name'de Ponte" occured locally in the 13th century,

implying the" existence of d bridge at'.that'time(Dodgson 1970,297). ' = ' . ; '

The construction of the 'Lancashire Bridge' sug-gests the possiblity that the earlier northernentrance to the town (via Vernon Street ?) wassuperceded by a new entrance up "modern BridgeStreet Brow, although this hypothesis cannot be •confirmed. The continued use of Mealhouse Brow asthe southern entrance is clearly demonstrated bythe very deeply-worn 'holloway' it representstoday. Other entrances probably existed at Church-gate and Chestergate: the latter road connectingStockport with the county town.

Apart from 'Castle Hill1, mentioned previously, theearliest named thoroughfares and districts in thetown (Dodgson 1970, 295-8) are 'The Park' (firstrecorded in 1345, although a 12th century deedrefers to the existence of a park near the river),Hi I Igate (1422-3), UnderbahV( 1454), Mi 11 gate(1456-7), Turncroft Lane (151 I) and Market Place or'Sted'(1537-41). , •'. • ..

A majorproblem in understanding the development ofthe medieval town, however, relates to the so- •*called 'town walls' of Stockport; Two stretches of.this rough-dressed red sandstone" wall'still survive . :•today. One fragment (behind nos 9-1:3,Mealh'puse. ••Brow) is indifferently'preserved arid "of'.uncertaindate, but the other (behind nos I I and 13 GreatUnderbank) is over 7m long and incorporates a'well-preserved buttress and gargoyle. No traces of

Fig'l Map of Stockport, c 1680

72

walling have been discovered elsewhere, and muchhas presumably been destroyed by the practice inrecent centuries of cutting houses and cellars intothe hillside.

The most common interpretation of the walls is thatthey were 'town walls', and that the medieval townof Stockport grew up entirely within their compass(Kay 1896). An 18th century local historian drewa plan of the walls before they were largely oblit-erated, showing them to have enclosed an irregulararea of some 60m by 30m (Dent 1977,5). It has alsobeen suggested that the walls were omitted to thenorth and east, where the presence of a vastnatural fault in the red sandstone bedrock madefurther defences superfluous (Kay 1896).

In 1974, however, excavations were conducted on thesite of 33 Market Place in an attempt to locate thewalls, and to identify any medieval occupationwithin them (Dent 1977). This produced a quantityof 14th and 15th century pottery, but only onefeature - a gulley - of medieval date. The exca-vator concluded that this demonstrated only asparse medieval occupation of the Market Placeplateau, and that the town of Stockport developedoutside the so-called 'town walls'. He furtherargued that the latter were in fact the baileywalls of a Norman 'motte-and-bailey' castle, andthat the town of Stockport developed on the lowerground surrounding the bailey (ie in Hillgate,Underbank and Millgate: hence the early documentaryreferences to these thoroughfares) until the 16thcentury, when it finally began to encroach uoon theMarket Place plateau.

However, exploratory excavations by GMAU of an ad-joining area in late 1984 seem to contradict thistheory. The excavations revealed post-holes,gulleys and a cobbled area, probably representingthe boundary between adjacent burgage plots of the13th century borough. The site produced a smallgroup of medieval pottery, as well as semi-waterlogged deposits which may provide valuableenvironmental data. It appears, therefore, thatsettlement of the Market Place plateau had takenplace by the medieval period, and this is supportedby an examination of the First Edition 60": milemaps of the town, on which the boundaries of themedieval burgage plots may still be identified.

The development of the town in the post-medievalperiod is best illustrated in the well-known 'Mappof Stockport Town', produced c!680. This shows themajor features of the 17th century town: the marketplace, castle, parish church, rectory and surround-ing network of streets. The Mersey and the HempshawBrook are also shown. One street - 'The way tomills and parks' - approximates to the line ofVernon Street, and continues northwards to termin-ate at the bank of the Mersey. It is possible thatthis may mark the route of the early ford.

The 1680 map shows the market place to contain afour-gabled market hall, a row of butchers' shops,a pump or conduit, and a market cross, and to besurrounded on three sides by gabled shops orhouses. At least one of these buildings survivestoday as 30a and 31 Market Place (Chapter 9).Another surviving building, Underbank Hall, is alsoshown.

In more general terms, the map of 1680 shows thatnot only was the town expanding rapidly alongMillgate, Churchgate, Hillgate, Chestergate, HighStreet and High Bank Street, but also that 'over-spill' development was occurring north of theMersey, beyond Lancashire Bridge. This, of course,marked a fundamental change in the nature ofStockport's development. It shows that the Mersey,despite remaining the administrative boundarybetween Cheshire and Lancashire, could no longerbe considered a significant barrier to the town'snorthward expansion. Thus the northerly extent ofmodern Stockport, across the Mersey to merge withthe neighbouring township of Heaton Norris, ismerely the culmination of a process which began atleast as early as the 17th century. This processwas, of course, accelerated dramatically by theadvent of the Industrial Revolution, when theexisting textile and clothing cottage industries -cotton, silk and hat-making-became more mechanisedand factory-based, while new industries such asironworking and engineering arrived with therailway age. Population expanded in the industrialcentres like Stockport, and this was accompanied bythe provision of mass housing, increased urban-isation of the surrounding areas, and the rapidobliteration of those topographical andarchaeological features which attested to thetown's historic origins.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CNQ, 1896-7 Note in Cheshire Notes and Queries,143,

Dent,J S 1977 'Recent Excavations on the Site ofStockport Castle1 Trans Lancashire CheshireAnt Soc 79, 1-13.

Dodgson, J Me N 1970 The Placenames of CheshireVol I.

Earwaker, J P 1877 East Cheshire Past & PresentVol I.

Giles, P M 1950-1 'The Enclosure of Common Landsin Stockport' Trans Lancashire Cheshire AntSoc 62, 73-1 To:

Heginbotham, H 1882 Stockport Ancient and Modern 2Vols.

Jackson, J W 1934-5 'The Prehistoric Archaeologyof Lancashire and Cheshire' Trans LancashireChesire Ant Soc 50, 65-106.

Jackson, J W 1936 'Contributions to theArchaeology of the Manchester Region1 North -Western Naturalist II, 115-6.

Kay, T 1896 'Remains of the Town Wall ofStockport' Trans Lancashire Cheshire Ant Soc14, 55-61.

Ormerod, G 1882 History of Cheshire Vol III.

Powlesand, D J 1974 Stockport: An ArchaeologicalOpportunity.

Richards, R 1947 Old Cheshire Churches, 309-12.

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Shone, W 191 I Prehistoric Man in Cheshire.

TLCAS, 1894 Note in Trans Lancashire Cheshire AntSoc 12, 135.

TLCAS, 1896 Note in Trans Lancashire Cheshire AntSoc 14, 150-3.

Varley, W J 1964 Cheshire Before the Romans.

Watkin, W T 1886 Roman Cheshire.

Smith, W J 1977 'The Staircase Cafe, Stpckport. AnInterim Report' Trans Lancashire Cheshire AritSoc 79, 14-20. ~~ ~^~

Taylor, H 1904 'The Ancient Crosses of Lancashire'Trans Lancashire Cheshire Ant Soc 22, I I I -r7..

Thompson, F H 1965 Roman Cheshire.

TLCAS, 1886 Note in Trans Lancashire Cheshire AntSoc 4, 241-56. :