Category Archives: Medieval Lancashire
Leyland Town Cross and Well
At the centre of the oldest part of Leyland stands the town cross and well. The cross shaft and steps are probably medieval and the well would have been a useful water source in the early days of the settlement. Leyland is one … Continue reading
Newburgh Cross, near Lathom, West Lancashire
At the highest point of Newburgh village green stands Newburgh Cross. The cross itself is modern, but its socket base and steps are much older. Some sources have suggested a 17th-18th century date but others go as far as suggesting … Continue reading
Posted in Medieval Lancashire, Wayside Crosses
Tagged Newburgh Cross, Newburgh Cross Lathom, Newburgh fair
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St Leonard the Less Church, Samlesbury near Preston
The church of St Leonard the Less was originally built by Gospatric, lord of the manor of Samlesbury as a chapel-of-ease for his family and staff. Local tradition has it that he persuaded two visiting Irish bishops to consecrate a burial place by the church, … Continue reading
Posted in Medieval Lancashire, Oldest Churches,
Tagged Samlesbury church, St Leonard the Less Samlesbury
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St Michaels on Wyre Church
St Michael’s Church is old enough to be mentioned in the Domesday Book as ‘Michelescherce’. Bounded by the River Wyre, it has been called St Michaels-on-Wyre since the 1100s. The earliest parts of the present building are Norman, as can be evidenced by the … Continue reading
St Helens Church, Churchtown near Garstang
The oval shaped graveyard of St Helens is a key indicator that a very early ‘Dark Ages’ Saxon church stood once in this place. The name ‘Churchtown’ was at one time called Kirkland, with ‘kirk’ being the Viking word for a church. The earliest parts of the present building … Continue reading
Smithills Hall, Bolton
In 1335 William de Radcliffe acquired the manor of Smithills. During the early years there would only have been the medieval Great Hall on the site, which still exists there today. It is a large rectangular stone building and in here the family and … Continue reading
Dalton Castle, Dalton in Furness
Dalton Castle is a 14th century Pele tower and was owned by the abbot of Furness Abbey. From here he would administer the law in the region of the Lordship of Furness, Lancashire North of the Sands. There would have been … Continue reading
Radcliffe Tower, Radcliffe near Bury
After the Norman Conquest of England, Nicholas FitzGilbert de Tabois was given confiscated Saxon manor land in the present day Radcliffe area. He took the name ‘de Radclyffe’ (which means of Radcliffe) and his descendants continued to live in the area for hundreds of years. They … Continue reading
The Lost Leper Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, Preston
The site of St Walburge’s church is believed to be the location of a Medieval leper hospital, dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. Nothing now remains of this building, but what evidence do we have that it was located here ? The … Continue reading
Brindle Churchyard, Brindle village, near Chorley
Brindle church’s oldest features can all be seen in the churchyard at any time of day. These include four cross bases, two of which are definitely medieval, three decorated grave slabs and a stone coffin. There has been a church … Continue reading
