kimerajamm
Joined: 28 Nov 2010
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 Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:58 pm Post subject: Hundred of Macclesfield |
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The Davenports were a family of significant landowners in the north-west of England whose antecedents can be traced back to the time of the Norman conquest. Orm de Davenport lived close to what is now Marton, and his name derives from the Norman French Dauen-port meaning "the town on the trickling stream", referring to his home on the River Dane.[6] In 1160, the family became responsible for Macclesfield Forest,[7] and in the early 13th century Vivian Davenport became its Grand Sergeant. The family's coat of arms includes a man's head with a rope around the neck, which is said to represent the family's power over life and death during this period. The Davenports acquired land throughout the area, notably at Wheltrough, Henbury, Woodford and lastly at Bramhall through marriage.[6]
The Davenports held the manor for around 500 years, and it is likely that after their accession they built the current house. The first William Davenport was lord of the manor from 1478 to 1528,[8] and one of the first recorded trustees of Macclesfield Grammar School.[9] It is possible that he was heavily involved in the final battle of the Wars of the Roses at Bosworth and thereby instrumental in gaining the crown for Henry VII,[10] who rewarded him with a pension of 20 marks per year payable for his lifetime.[11] According to Dean, it was during this first William's tenure that Bramall may have been vandalised by a man named Randle Hassall, who destroyed all or part of nine houses and stole the timber. This gives credence to the theory that Bramall was rebuilt, replacing or partially replacing an older building.[9]
The fifth William Davenport in 1627, at the age of 65
The third William Davenport, who succeeded his father of the same name in 1541, took part in what later became known as The Rough Wooing, a series of attacks against Scotland ordered by Henry VIII. He was knighted for his efforts in this campaign.[12] The fifth William Davenport inherited Bramall in 1585 from his father of the same name, and lived there with his wife Dorothy for over 50 years. The first marriage in Bramall's chapel was recorded in 1599,[13] between William (aged 15), eldest son of the fifth William and Dorothy, and Frances Wilbraham (aged 11).[14] On 22 April 1603 the fifth William Davenport was knighted by James I at Newark (where the king was staying on his journey from Edinburgh to London) and later became the High Sheriff of Cheshire and a commissioner of the Hundred of Macclesfield.[13] During the tenure of the fifth William, many alterations were made to the building, including the addition of a room above the Great Hall (which would later become the Withdrawing Room), and a long gallery.[15] The internal decorations were also updated with additions such as wall paintings and portraits.[16]
The sixth William succeeded his father in 1639 shortly before the English Civil War broke out.[17] He was a Royalist, though said not to have been a particularly dedicated one. Many of his tenants became Parliamentarian soldiers,[18] and over the next three years he had numerous visits from Parliamentarian soldiers, mostly seeking to acquire goods such as horses and weapons for the war, and using the house for quartering soldiers.[19] Bramall was also host to Royalist soldiers, who confiscated some of the Davenport property for use in the war.[20] William Davenport was at one point charged with delinquency, and ordered to pay a fine of £750,[19] and soldiers continued to use Bramall Hall because of its convenience.[21]
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