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"that there was one priest there, holding one carucate of land (about 50 acres)." This, however, was not for his own use but for the poor of the parish, extending to the Mersey from Garston, to past Hale. ​Childwall then became attached to the Priory of Lancaster which Roger founded as the cell of the Abbey. Patronage passed to the Grelleys, Barons of Manchester, during the 13th Century, and a member of that family Herbert Grelley was Rector in 1260. Nearly 50 years later in 1309, Sir Roger de Holland presented Childwall to the college of Secular Cannons at Upholland".....

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The district of Childwall, Liverpool has a rich history. The earliest recorded reference to Childwall was in the Domesday Book of 1086: "Four Radmans held Childwall as four Manors. There is half a hide. It was worth eight shillings. There was a priest, having half a carucate of land in frank almoign."

Childwall was known as Cildeuuelle in the Domesday Book, meaning "a stream where youngsters meet" from the Old English words cild and wella. Historically, the name has been recorded as Childewalle (1212 and 1332), Chaldewall (1238), Childwall (1261), Childewelle (1291), Chaldewal (1305), and Childewall (1354). 

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There is a fantastic history in relation to the area. Childwall Hall, Childwall House, Childwall Abbey Pub, All Saints Church, Childwall Woods, the Childwall Cross. Each subject has its own history and completes the write up on the historical aspect of the area. Childwall was once served by a Railway Station, a stop on the former North Liverpool Extension Line and trams used to serve the area well. Even when Childwall was sometimes listed as ‘rural Childwall’ from the start of the 1900’s, there are still large parts of the area which have rolling fields, woods and park’s that have escaped being built on.

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In 1094 Count Roger Poges of Poitou granted the patronage of Kydewell to the Abbey of St Martin at Sees in Normandy.   Childwall then became attached to the Priory of Lancaster which Roger founded as the cell of the Abbey. Patronage passed to the Grelleys, Barons of Manchester, during the 13th Century, and a member of that family Herbert Grelley was Rector in 1260.  Nearly 50 years later in 1309, Sir Roger de Holland presented Childwall to the college of Secular Cannons at Upholland.  The gift was not appreciated, for the Seculars discovered that Childwall was a wilderness more suitable for contemplative monks and they gave the place to the Benedictines. The Benedictines kept Childwall until the dissolution of the monasteries when it came under the jurisdiction of the See of Chester. It later became invested, in 1880, to the See of Liverpool.

The oldest part of the Village for years has been named Childwall Abbey but although it has always been an ecclesiastical centre, there has never been an abbey or priory despite several legends. There are past and present names on Maps, Childwall Cottage, Childwall Lodge, Stand Park, Hill Top, Childwall Priory Farm - each with its own unique history.
 
The population of Childwall in 1901 was 219. Ever since 1913, when Childwall was absorbed by Liverpool, the surrounding open space and farmland have gradually been eaten away by the sprawl of the city. Some years ago, the area around the Childwall Abbey was made into a conservation area and this part has survived and still manages to retain much of its old rural beauty and character.  Parts of Childwall Hall estate have survived to this day. The name seems to have grown up from the fact that Childwall Hall was designed in a style reminiscent to a monastic institution.

The History of Childwall has been written by Jonathon Wild, Campaign Director of Braygreen, and a local resident of Childwall who has been fortunate to have come across some very rare pictures of the area, either from a private collection, past private cine film, or private family pictures. There are too many names to thank for this publication, there will have been thanks along the way – but a large ‘thank you’ to the people who have participated in bringing this website to life.  

There have been many publications used in the production of this website and we have carefully noted their copyright and gained permission where needed. We have also been given permission from the Record Office for use of some of their contemporary photographs.


SPECIAL THANKS TO:  Mr I Dale, Mr P Dale,  Mike Dodd, John Athersuch, Will Stephens, Lime Pictures.

You must seek written permission from us,  if you wish to use the site in any publicity material, or link to us on your website.  You must not falsify the real ownership of this website. This website and its content is copyright of Jonathon Wild © 2005 - 2025 All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited. Should you wish to use the information on this website, and or pictures, please contact me via my portfolio. 

Jonathon Wild, Proprietor, Braygreen. 

You can reach contact me for anything related to the History of Childwall or to join The History of Childwall Facebook group by clicking on the portfolio on the right:

 

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