Hulton Abbey to Ruston Grange
Lost and forgotten roads of Stoke-on-Trent

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Hulton Abbey to Ruston Grange

This article examines Hulton Abbey, the trackway along Sneyd Street and the monks farmland at Ruston Grange.


The site of Hulton Abbey is located just off the junction of the A5009 Leek Road and Woodhead.

the Abbey site and Charles Lynam

The Abbey was founded by Henry De Audley in 1219 and consecrated in 1223. Following the dissolution in 1538 the site eventually was lost until 1884; it was located during a chance excavation, later being investigated and published by Charles Lynam who was a local architect.

Among Lynam's archaeological achievements were the elucidation of the ground plans of Croxden Abbey, near Uttoxeter, and Hulton Abbey, Stoke. His work on the later was used 50 years later to prevent the erection of a housing estate over the hidden foundations of the abbey.
He also undertook excavation work on the bath-house at the Roman site of Wall, near Lichfield. 

arches of early Stoke Church - erected by Charles Lynam
arches of early Stoke Church - erected by Charles Lynam

The old parish church of Stoke upon Trent had been demolished in 1830 and some of its stone used to form the bed of a watercourse serving Boothen Mill. Lynam discovered these in 1881 and used them to reconstruct two arches and other features of the old church, set up on the site of the old church.


The fragment of the Saxon preaching cross
in the grounds of St. Peters

The fragments from the medieval (pre-Norman (1066) preaching cross were identified by the local architect Lynam and erected by him in mid 19th century in the grounds of St. Peter Ad Vincula


 

a section of a 1577 map of North Staffordshire showing 'Hilton abbey'
a section of a 1577 map of North Staffordshire showing 'Hilton abbey'

 

Plot's map of North Staffordshire c.1670
Plot's map of North Staffordshire c.1670



the monks lands and the track to Ruston Grange

Abbey Hulton takes its name from the former Hulton Abbey, which was located about half a mile from Milton, on the east side of the road from Stoke to Leek, next to Carmountside Primary School. In the Domesday Book, Hulton is recorded as ‘Heltone’ meaning ‘hill town’

The monks were engaged in sheep-farming by the mid 13th century.  Granges were established at Rushton and Hulton soon after the foundation of the abbey, and there is mention of the abbey's sheepfold at Normacot in 1242.

Sneyd Street was part of an ancient trackway between Hulton Abbey and the monk's farm at Rushton Grange (now near Cobridge). 


early connections between Hulton and Ruston

although the Abbey was not founded until 1219 there was a connection between Hulton (later Abbey Hulton) and Ruston (later Ruston Grange) as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1087.

'Land of Robert of Stafford.....'

RUSHTON  [RISCTONE]   
HULTON
[HELTONE]   

Robert also holds the third part of 1 hide in HULTON and RUSHTON. Wulfgeat holds from him. He held it himself before 1066. Land for 3 ploughs.
            3 villagers and 3 smallholders with 1 plough.
            Woodland 1 league long and ˝ wide.
Value 10s.

 


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