Cheadle through the ages (a timeline of Cheadle history)

 

While the exact origins of Cheadle are unclear, it is believed there were some people living in and around the area before 1000AD. One theory regarding the origin of the name is that it comes from the old English word, Cedde or Coed, which means wood, as in wooded fields, as this is what the area was in the past. The name was then developed into what it has become today. Another theory is that the renowned cleric St. Chad travelled through the area several centuries earlier spreading the influence of Christianity and a modification of his name was then used as a settlement was subsequently created and developed.

More exact dates of specific events are known from 1000AD onwards and many of the most important ones are listed below. 

 

1000 - 1849  1850 - 1899 1900 - 1949 1950 -

 1000 - 1849   

 1066 An important Saxon thegn (King's retainer), and the father of Gamel, who was later to play a significant role in the development of Cheadle, holds Cheadle as a free man  

 1086

Cheadle is mentioned in the Domesday Book and called "Cedde" which means clearing in a wood. It is recorded that Gamel now holds the manor of Cheade from the Earl of Chester. It is believed there are about nine families living in the area

       
 1200 Geoffrey de Duton becomes lord of Cheadle on his marriage to Helen, daughter of Jordan de Cheadle. His son asumes the name of de Cheadle.   

 1294

Landowner Sir Geoffrey de Cheadle dies

  

 1326

The areas which are currently known as Cheadle and Cheadle Hulme are divided between the daughters and heiresses of Roger de Cheadle; namely Clemence de Baguley (area known as Cheadle Moseley (now Cheadle Hulme) and Agnes de Bulkeley (area known as Cheadle Bulkeley (now Cheadle)

    
 1349 The Black Death rages through Cheshire. Richard de Bulkeley dies and his three year old son is made a ward of the king.   

 1520

A church which is believed to have stood on the grounds of the current St. Mary's is in "greate ruyn" following a major fire and work commences on building a new church

         

 1530

A building which later came to be known as the "Old" Rectory is built on the site where the new Post Office is now located
 1550

The "new" St Mary's church is completed on the grounds where it is believed a previous church was built in the 11th or 12th Centuries
 1556 Dame Katherine Bulkeley, the late Abbess of Godstow and sister to Sir Richard Bulkeley, rebuilds the chancel of St Mary's   
 1559 Following her death, Katherine Bulkeley is buried beneath the east window of the chancel as she requested   

 1613

After most earlier burials had previously taken place under St Mary's church, a gravestone is placed outside the church and remains there today. Over time, more than 1000 further graves are added which also remain

 1634

A porch is added to St Mary's church

 1644

Prince Rupert, nephew of King Charles I and commander of the Royalist cavalry during the English Civil War, marches through Cheadle on his way to capturing Stockport

  
 1659

Adswood Hall, between Cheadle and Stockport, is constructed -the first house in the area which is made of brick

  
 1662

Stanley Hall, located between Cheadle and Handforth, is built in the popular timber framed style of the era
 1664

Cheadle Manor House is built 
 1667

Moseley Old Hall, between Cheadle Green and Abney Hall, has an inscription of the year placed above the front door.This normally depicts when a building is first occupied.
 1678

An inscribed brass plaque is placed inside St Mary's chuch and still exists today

  
 1745

Some of Bonnie Prince Charlie's army take an overnight rest in Cheadle on their return to Scotland

  
 1749

The first six of the current bells are installed into St Mary's church

  
 1754

The Manchester to Warrington turnpike is opened in Cheadle. The toll to travel along the turnpike ranges from one halfpenny for a horse, mule or ass to two shillings for a four wheeled coach

  
 1756

Cheadle Bulkeley estates are sold to the Reverend Thomas Egerton who then builds Cheadle Hall, situated at the back of Cheadle Green

  
 1762

Cheadle Bulkeley Hall is built

  
 1763

The hospital which is now known as Cheadle Royal is founded

  
 1767

The Old Rectory is extensively restored after being badly damaged by fire

  
 1786

Stanley Hall is sold to the Society of Friends for £1200

  
 1810

The Cheadle Enclosure Act is passed in Parliament which effectively guarantees that what was later to become Cheadle Green could not be developed for residential or business purposes

  
 1820

The Manchester to Wilmslow turnpike is opened in Cheadle

  
 1823 A cattle market is established in Cheadle   

 1825

A newly qualified doctor called Robert Ockleston opens his first surgery in Cheadle in the High Street

  
 1834

A new organ costing £192 is installed in St Mary's church

  
 1835 Cheadle Methodist church is built   
 1837

The National School is built on Wilmslow Road at a cost of £650

  
 1838

Author Charles Dickens stays at the George and Dragon pub during a visit to Manchester
 1839

The north side of the Old Rectory is rebuilt following severe winter storms 

  
 1841

St. Mary's church clock tower is completed. Clocks are installed on the east, west and south sides of the tower, but not on the north side as this is meant to be the unlucky side

  
 1846

The new Cheadle Royal Hospital opens on the current site and is called the Manchester Royal Hospital for those with mental health problems
 1847

Abney Hall is built about half a mile north-east of Cheadle High street and is originally called "The Grove" after the printing works which was previously located on the site

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