- Hankelow
Hankelow is a village and
civil parish in the borough ofCrewe and Nantwich inCheshire . It used to be a township within the township ofAudlem , one mile fromAudlem on the Nantwich Road. According to the 2001 census, the parish had a population of 272. [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=792582&c=Hankelow&d=16&e=15&g=428119&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 Neighbourhood Statistics: Hankelow CP] (accessed 12 August 2007)]History
At the time of
Domesday , the estate was part of the Barony of Wich Malbank (i.e.Nantwich ), and was owned by Richard de Vernon. It was held under the Vernons, as early as Edward I's reign, by a family who acquired the local name of Hunkelowe - William, son of Richard of Hunkelowe, was bailiff to the Hundred of Nantwich in the reign of Richard II, and again in Henry IV's reign. He appears to have spent some of the time between these two periods of office imprisoned inChester Castle as a King's Debtor.In the reign of
Edward III , the Hassalls appear to have had considerable estates in "Honkelowe", which they held until the 17th century. These were no doubt acquired through marriage or sale from Richard Hunkelowe.In the reign of Henry VI, the main part of the estate passed, through the marriage of an heiress of Richard de Hunkelowe, to one of the Wettenhalls of Wettenhall, who settled in Hankelow, where they remained until the latter part of the 18th century. After this the estate passed to the family of Bayley, then to the Greaves. The estate is now split up and owned by various people.
During the
Civil Wars , the Parliamentarians and the King's Men met at Hankelow, and the place was ravaged.In the centre of the village is Hankelow Green, where there is a good sized pond, on which swans are often to be seen. When there is a frost, this is the favourite place for children to slide and skate. The Cheshire Hounds used to meet on Hankelow Green twice a Season, but this part of the country has now been handed over to the
North Staffordshire Hunt . The Meet is always a popular affair, people following on foot and on bicycles.At the corner of the Green there stands a house that is said to have been built (that is to say, far enough to raise smoke up the chimney) in a single night, on stolen ground - the tradition being that in such circumstances the builder could claim the land on which the house was built. In those days the house had no deeds, but some have since been drawn up.
Close to Hankelow Green there is a very old house known as the Ball Farm, built in 1510. Richard Hassall occupied it, and he was made a Sergeant-in-Law in 1511, and Justice of
Chester in 1540. It is probable that the Ball Farm was used as a Court of Justice for the district. There are two large balls on the front gate-posts, and these were a symbol of authority. Some parts of the old house still remain, but a new part has been added. There is some very old wood panelling, oak beams, and oak stairs, and all the floors in the old part are very uneven There is one very small room called thePowder Closet , where the ladies went to have their hair dusted when powdered hair was the fashion.Hankelow Hall is a handsome 18th century brick house situated in a park containing some very fine trees. It was at one time the home of the Wettenhalls, who disposed of it to the Richardsons; in 1817 it was sold to Thomas Cooper. Since then it has had various owners.
The lectern in the Church was Given in memory of George William Cooper, his wife, and all his children, except one, who were drowned in Lake Windermere 1873.
The estate passed to T.G.Bellyse Cooper, who accidentally shot himself just prior to his marriage.
References
Audlem Women's Institute, The Audlem Scrapbook (1951) http://www.hankelow.net/village_history.html [link accessed 2007-04-9]
External links
* [http://www.hankelow.net/ Hankelow village website]
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