Domesday Survey

 

During Saxon times the manor of Upton was part of the "immemorial lordship" of the Earls of Mercia. We know very little about life here in those days. The Abbot and Convent of St. Werburgh had "in ancient times" a park at Upton, which, according to the legend (see under Legends), was to prove a place of refuge from marauding Danes.

It was not until after the Norman Conquest that we get definite information about Upton when in 1086 the Domesday Survey of Cheshire was compiled. This ascertained the amount at which each estate was assessed. Upton was mentioned twice.

The township of Upton first belonged to the Wilaveston (Wirral) Hundred, and was owned by Earl Hugh Lupus. Then it became part of the Dudestan (Broxton) Hundred. Earl Hugh in the Dudestan Hundred .held OPETONE (formerly in the Wirral Hundred.

“Erni, a free man, held (it). There is 1 hide that (pays) geld. There is land (enough) for 2 ploughs. It is waste. There is wood (land) 1 league long and 2 acres wide."

In Wilaveston (Wirral) Hundred, Earl Hugh held OPTONE.

"Earl Eadwine held (it). There are 4 ½  hides that pay geld. There is land (enough) for 12 ploughs. In the demesne is (4) 1 (plough) and 2 oxmen and (there are) 12 villeins and 2 radmans with 5 ploughs. Of this land of this manor Hamon holds two thirds of 1 hide, and Herbert halt a hide, and Mundret 1 hide. There are in the demesne 4 ploughs and 8 oxmen; and (there are) 2 villeins and 2 bordars with 1 plough. There is 1 acre of meadow. The whole manor was worth 60 shillings T.R.E. (in the reign of Edward the Confessor) now the earl's demesne is worth 45 shillings and (the land) of his men 40 shillings."

(From the Domesday Survey 1086)